By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says its upcoming manifesto launch will not be just a regular bouquet of promises but rather a statement of intent.
Its federal chairperson, Ivan Meyer said, “the time for change is now, and South Africa deserves better. Election 2024 is to reset South Africa.”
Meyer said, “President Cyril Ramaphosa’s promises in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday night, particularly those to end load shedding were empty rhetoric.”
“This election is the make-or-break election in South Africa, and so our manifesto is based on research, data, and evidence of what South Africans want. It is a tool for political pragmatism, it is not a tool to enrich elite,” said Meyer.
Next weekend’s election launch is expected to start on Church Square and make its way to the Union Buildings.
“The Union Buildings is the executive seat of power. And under the ANC [African National Congress], it has also become the executive seat of corruption. And so our manifesto launch at the union buildings will symbolise that a new government is coming to the union buildings,” Meyer added.
He said the DA has a real, concrete plan that will make a difference in the lives of South Africans.
Meanwhile the party’s move to dissolve eThekwini Metro’s council has made it into the agenda, just a month after ANC Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda survived a motion of no confidence.
The special council meeting to hear the motion will be held on 14 February.
The DA cited the collapse of service delivery such as water, electricity and sanitation services as some of the reasons it wanted eThekwini council dissolved.
The party will have to rely on other opposition parties to ensure its motion goes through as it doesn’t have the numbers to do so by itself.
Earlier this month, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP)’s motion to remove Kaunda failed after 109 voted against it. At least 89 councillors supported the removal.