By Lebone Rodah Mosima
With just four days left before the local government elections (LGE), the Democratic Alliance (DA) held its final rally for supporters in Pretoria, framing the upcoming ballot as a historic “two-horse race” to overtake the African National Congress (ANC) nationally and position the party to lead the national government.
DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis addressed the crowds at Morelete Park in Mamelodi outside Pretoria on Saturday, urging them to use this election to make the DA South Africa’s biggest party and to make the ANC’s decline South to prove Africa’s recovery.
“My friends, we have four days, just four days until millions of South Africans take the future of our beautiful country into their own hands,” Lewis said.
”This is a two-horse race for first place in South Africa. It is either the blue wave or it is the ANC.”
He said that when residents vote for change, they deserve actual change, not more of the same, noting that only the DA is big enough to lead the change the country needs.
“You know there are those who say the DA is only for one race. Do not believe them. They are liars,” he said.
He emphasised that the party is for all South Africans – black, coloured, white and Indian – and always will be.
He told citizens these elections should mark the start of the party’s journey toward a DA-led national government in 2029.
DA mayoral candidate for the City of Tshwane, Cilliers Brink, said 4 November was the party’s best chance to end the chaos and improve service delivery.
Brink added that it was also a chance to elect a stable DA majority with a five-year term to get the nation’s capital working.
“Since the takeover of the ANC, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)and Action SA Coalition of thieves here in Tshwane, water losses have increased from 32% to 41%,” Brink said.
“Residents have endured more power outages than when Eskom was load shedding the city.”
He asked everyone who had never voted for the DA before to lend the party their vote.
“Your vote belongs to you. Use it to get water in your taps. Reliable electricity, safe streets and parks,” he said.
“Safe enough so that you can take your family to enjoy a weekend out without fearing.”
He urged residents to take back the city from the criminals who had taken it and get Tshwane working.
DA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane emphasised that no resident should have to accept failing service delivery, unsafe streets, neglected roads or the challenges facing the City of Ekurhuleni.
“Service delivery is not a favour from government. Service delivery is a responsibility that you as the residents need to be able to honour,” Rasilingwan said.
“And so when I get into government on the 4th of November, I will ensure that every rand works for the residents of Ekurhuleni.
DA mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg, Helen Zille, said two roads lay ahead, leading in different directions.
Zille said one led to more unemployment and more broken cities, while the other led to jobs, functioning services, opportunity and a better future for all children.
“Joburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, don’t make that mistake on the 4th of November. I know you are tired. Tired of broken promises. Tired of dry taps and dark streets. Tired of potholes,” Zille said.
“If you stay at home on election day, you won’t be punishing the thieves. You will be rewarding them. You will be giving them another five years to loot, and Joburg cannot afford another five years of failure. It will be too late then.”
She urged residents not to judge politicians by what they promise, but by what they have already delivered, and to ask themselves who has a track record.
Zille said a vote for blue was a vote for residents.
“A vote for blue is a vote for you,” she said.
“On the 4th of November vote as if your future depends on it. Because it does. Vote for your children. Vote for your city. Vote for your future. Get up. Get out. Vote for the blue. Vote for you. Vote DA. Let’s get Joburg working.”
