Johnathan Paoli
The DA has called on South Africans to vote for a party with an effective plan to tackle the fundamental problems of the country, in light of the abysmal failures of the ruling party since the transition to democracy.
Speaking at the launch of the party’s manifesto in Tshwane on Saturday, DA Federal Leader John Steenhuisen said in light of the upcoming and historic national and provincial elections, a vote for the DA is a vote for a party with a clear plan to rescue South Africa.
The party leader said as the anchor tenant in a new multi-party government, the DA’s key priorities during the 2024 to 2029 term include: creating two million new jobs; end loadshedding and water-shedding; halve the rate of violent crime, including murder, attempted murder and gender-based violence; crush corruption by abolishing cadre deployment in favour of merit-based appointments and a capable state that delivers for all; lift six million people out of poverty; triple the number of Grade 4 learners who can read for meaning; and ensure quality healthcare for all, irrespective of economic status.
“We will focus our time in government like a laser beam on implementing these seven key pledges, because we understand that if we do not fix these seven things, South Africa does not have a future,” Steenhuisen said.
Steenhuisen said following the recent court order for the ANC to disclose documents relating to its cadre deployment since 2013, the party rejected the ruling party’s appeal for more time and said that it had no choice but to comply with the order by handing over these records by 5pm on Monday.
He said that failing which, the DA will use the precedent set in the Zuma case to go back to court for a contempt order that includes prison time for each and every one of the ANC’s leaders.
“The ANC is so desperate to hide Ramaphosa’s cadre secrets that they are now threatening to trigger a constitutional crisis to protect him – just like they did with Zuma,” the DA leader said.
Steenhuisen said the seven key pledges would fundamentally restore the country back onto the path of promise, and allow for South Africans to resume believing in great South African dreams.
The federal leader acclaimed his support for the party’s Rescue Plan for the country and said help was on the way for many of the country’s citizens as a result of poor leadership, and that the ruling party felt threatened by the success of the DA.
“They are so obsessed by their fear of the DA that some of them even said: Dubulu inyanga. Dubulu inyanga – that is exactly what we are going to do in this election,” the leader said.
Steenhuisen concluded by calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to announce the date of elections.
The party has denied suggestions that it was experiencing a decline, instead arguing that it was closing in on the ANC.
“We have faith in the people of South Africa. 15,000 people in the streets here from Church Square to the Union Buildings. We are victorious. A new government is coming,” DA Federal Chairperson Ivan Meyer said on the sidelines of the event.
DA youth leader Nicholas Nyati said the event would illustrate the party’s growth.
“This march is to show South Africans that the DA is more than ready. So, today is more than just a manifesto but truly a reflection that the DA is ready to enter the Union Buildings,” Nyati said.
DA chief whip Siviwe Gwarube said that South Africa could not afford another five years of the ANC at the helm of government.
“We desperately need an alternative and we believe that the alternative is not only poised to take over, but we’ve identified a clear path to victory,” Gwarube said.
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