"The Democratic Alliance is the only party that will rescue South Africa, so make the right choice and vote DA in the upcoming national elections."
These were the words of DA leader John Steenhuisen who was addressing provincial leadership and supporters at the launch of their national election campaign in Gqeberha on Thursday.
Steenhuisen was accompanied by Eastern Cape leader Andrew Whitfield, and the party's provincial and municipal leadership, for the flighting of their national election posters and election slogan; Rescue SA, Vote DA.
"In this election, voting for the DA will not only rescue South Africa from the ANC but also from those small parties that exist only to preserve ANC misrule.
"The 2024 General Election will be a hinge of history moment for South Africa, as our country prepares to take to the polls to make the most important decision in our democratic history. 2024 offers us a last chance to rescue South Africa from the grip of the ANC’s criminal state and pull our country back from the brink of state failure and the complete collapse of the South African dream," he said.
Steenhuisen told party supporters on Standford Road in the city's Northern Areas, that "in 2024, we must vote to rescue South Africa from the unemployment, load shedding, and water-shedding, crime, corruption, and cost-of-living crises that threaten our country’s very survival."
He said the DA was committed to forming the stable anchor party at the heart of a new national government.
"The DA’s practical and implementable manifesto, combined with our proven track record of good governance, creating jobs, and improving lives, makes us the ideal party for every South African that wants a new government to rescue South Africa," Steenhuisen said.
The launch of the party's election poster campaign was followed by a picket at the depot of Nelson Mandela Bay's ailing IPTS bus service.
The DA said this was to focus on the impact of the non-operational bus service, the lack of disclosure of ward-based budgets, and the impact of employment equity on the residents and communities of the Northern Areas.
A small group of pro-Palestinian supporters arrived, with people chanting accusations at the DA saying it "supports a terrorist country" and a vote for the party would be a vote for the "killing of women and children."
Some members of the DA tried to force the group back, with the police also on hand.
One of the protesters, who wanted to remain anonymous, said they were there to encourage people who support the DA to "educate themselves on the war taking place in Gaza where people are being killed daily.
"People need to understand who they are voting for and what their stance is. They have shown their true colours and people need to understand that. There are many other options on the ballot paper and people need to be sure," she added.
In an earlier statement, the DA said that throughout the war it remained steadfast in its commitment to a two-state solution that resulted in the creation of a sovereign and unoccupied Palestine co-existing in peace next to a secure Israel.
A small group of Pro-Palestine protesters caused a brief disruption as DA leader, @jsteenhuisen launched his national election campaign in #Gqeberha on Thursday. The poster launch took place on Standford Road in the northern areas. #Gaza #Palestine pic.twitter.com/RGbYDPXM4b
— AlgoaFMNews (@AlgoaFMNews) February 29, 2024
