The Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen says, only his party can save Nelson Mandela Bay.
Steenhuisen, the Eastern Cape Provincial Leader Andrew Whitfield, and Chief Whip, Siviwe Gwarube, addressed supporters at the Feather Market center in Gqeberha on Tuesday during the party's Rescue South Africa Tour.
Steenhuisen and his team outlined seven key areas through which they aim to rescue Nelson Mandela Bay and South Africa.
He said should the DA be voted in as the ruling party at the general elections on 29 May, they promise to create two million jobs, end water shedding as well as load-shedding, address rampant crime, and do away with cadre deployment.
"The DA will lift people out of poverty, triple the number of grade four learners who can read with understanding, and ensure quality healthcare for all, irrespective of economic status," Steenhuisen added.
He also had a strong message regarding a crime wave that he said was sweeping across the Metro.
“I am here with a warning today: if we do not learn from the disaster that has hit Nelson Mandela Bay thanks to the ANC, the EFF, and mercenary small parties like the Patriotic Alliance, Doomsday will soon arrive across the whole South Africa,” he added.
“While this city is famous for its friendly people, there is nothing friendly about the violent criminality that has engulfed Nelson Mandela Bay.
Steenhuisen referred to a "new international ranking" that rated Nelson Mandela Bay as the most dangerous city in South Africa and as the 9th most dangerous city on the entire planet.
“The murder rate in this city has increased by a staggering 37% in just the past year.
“And nothing demonstrates the viciousness of the crime epidemic in Nelson Mandela Bay like the story of three-year-old Emilio Hutchinson from Helenvale,” he said.
???????? Thank you Nelson Mandela Bay for hosting the #RescueSAtour. You came out in your numbers and showed South Africa that you are committed to fighting crime with us.
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) April 30, 2024
Together we can #RescueSA.
Watch the broadcast here: https://t.co/zA2iQFN3Gp pic.twitter.com/AxhgWBtXyR
Steenhuisen said this was “a harbinger of things to come wherever the Doomsday Coalition between the ANC and EFF takes power.”
He called on people to go out in huge numbers on election day and vote for the DA, saying only his party has the size and the track record to stand up against the “Doomsday Coalition.”
“I am here today to say to the people of Nelson Mandela Bay and the whole Eastern Cape: help is on the way from the DA.
“Instead of living in the most dangerous city in the country, a new government anchored by the DA will make Nelson Mandela Bay safe,” Steenhuisen said.
Gwarube reminded voters of the malnutrition crisis that the province is grappling with. She also reminded the crowd of the 3-year-old from Mdantsane who fell into a pit toilet.
"We have a choice, to keep the current government in power, which does not care about its people. Or vote for the DA, the party that cares."
Local DA supporter Ruby Leibrandt agreed with her leaders. "The DA will win on 29 May and our communities will go back to what it was," says Ruby.
The speeches by the party's leadership were preceded by live performances and singing of the party's official election campaign which was written and sung by Idols SA season 6 runner-up Lloyd Cele.
