At the much-anticipated launch of the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) 2024 election manifesto in Pretoria today, DA leader John Steenhuisen presented a bold vision to ‘rescue South Africa,’ describing the upcoming election as a ‘historic opportunity for change.’
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According to Steenhuisen, the DA’s ambitious agenda for the country if elected was at the heart of this.
This includes the following:
- Creating two million new jobs.
- The end of load and water shedding
- Reducing violent crime rates by half,
- Eliminating cadre deployment in favour of merit-based appointments.
- Getting six million people out of poverty
- Improving educational outcomes.
- Ensuring Quality Healthcare for All
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Steenhuisen emphasised the significance of this year’s election, which marked the first time in three decades that South Africans could reasonably expect a new government to take office.
‘For the first time in 30 years, the DA has a credible path into national government if enough of our voters turn out on Election Day,’ he said, of a potential political overhaul.
The Multi-Party Charter for South Africa is central to the DA’s strategy, and Steenhuisen describes it as a ‘political game changer.’
This coalition of opposition parties seeks to strengthen efforts to depose the current ANC-led administration.
‘By forging a common vision among opposition parties, the Charter provides a clear path to power for an alternative government,’ Steenhuisen explained, stressing the unity and strength found in collaboration.
Given the ANC’s decline in the 2021 local government elections, Steenhuisen is optimistic about the DA’s chances in the national and provincial elections, assuming a high voter turnout.
He warned against the fragmentation of votes among too many parties, instead advocating for a strong, central party to maintain stability.
‘Only the DA has the size, experience, and demonstrated track-record of good governance to serve as the anchor for a stable and successful Multi-Party Charter government,’ he asserted.
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The DA leader focused on the potential consequences of failing to support the Multi-Party Charter, warning against the formation of an ANC-EFF coalition, which he dubbed a ‘coalition of corruption.’
He framed voting for the DA as a preventive measure against such an outcome, presenting voters with a ‘win-win proposition.’
Steenhuisen painted a picture of a DA-led government that prioritised action over inaction, citing the party’s track record in regions such as the Western Cape and cities such as Cape Town and Tshwane.
‘Instead of endless commissions, talk shops, and summits, you will get a new government that gets things done,’ he promised, paving the way for what could be a watershed moment in South Africa’s political history.
Also read:
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Picture: John Steenhusen/ Facebook