DA X
Democratic Alliance leader, John Steenhuisen, was confident on Saturday of victory over the ANC in the upcoming election, saying the only question was “by how much”.
Delivering a rousing address to thousands of supporters who marched to the Union Buildings for the DA’s election manifesto launch, Steenhuisen declared that “in this election, we are in it to win it”.
“That in this election, we must rescue the Union Buildings from the clutches of a corrupt government, and restore them to their rightful place as a symbol of pride for all South Africans.
“In every previous election since 1994, everyone knew that the ANC would win,” he said.
Steenhuisen said, in a wide-ranging speech, that the DA’s primary task was to consolidate the strongest possible opposition to the ANC.
“In this election, the DA is going to defeat the ANC. For the first time in our democratic history, support for the ANC is set to crash well below 50%”.
He said the ANC was a party in terminal decline, and on its knees when Jacob Zuma’s MK Party entered the fray.
“The demise of the ANC has opened the door for the DA to achieve what was once considered unthinkable: to enter national government,” Steenhuisen said.
Meanwhile, the DA leader said by bringing an end to opposition infighting and consolidating like-minded parties into a cohesive bloc, the Multi-Party Charter for South Africa, offers voters the best prospect for political change since 1994.
He said the DA felt a profound sense of responsibility towards the Charter.
“Given our size, our proud track record of clean and accountable government, and our success in delivering services and jobs where we govern, the DA is committed to becoming the strong, stable anchor party at the heart of a new multi-party government to rescue South Africa,” Steenhuisen said.
He said as the anchor tenant in a new multi-party government, the DA’s key priorities during the 2024 to 2029 term will be to, create two million new jobs; end load shedding and water-shedding; halve the rate of violent crime, including murder, attempted murder and gender-based violence.
Steenhuise said the DA would also 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 Four learners who can read for meaning; and ensure quality healthcare for all, irrespective of economic status.
