By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
In the build-up to the 2024 national and provincial elections, Democratic Alliance (DA) leader, John Steenhuisen says the party’s internal polls have shown that the multi-party coalition has crossed the 50% mark in KwaZulu-Natal, against the ANC’s 36%.
Steenhuisen delivered a keynote address at the rally — which was held at the Durban Exhibition Centre.
The event was also a musical festival, with live performances by DJ Tira, Lloyd Cele, and others.
Currently KZN’s third biggest political party, the DA is seeking to capitalise on the governing ANC’s shortcomings, including public complaints that the ruling party in KZN has been unable to build enough houses for the poor.
Steenhuisen said the Multi-Party Charter for South Africa, representing eight opposition parties that have come together to try to topple the ANC in 2024 is polling at 50% in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
The DA, Inkatha Freedom Party, Freedom Front Plus, Spectrum National Party, the Independent National Civic Association, ActionSA and the United Independent Movement launched the charter in August after several months of negotiations.
ACDP also confirmed that it was participating in the initiative — despite earlier declining to do so — but said it had not signed the charter as it did not believe in pre-election coalitions.
He made the announcement on Saturday as the party kicked off its 2024 election campaign with a national rally in Durban, under the theme “Rock The Registration”.
Steenhuisen touched on the DA’s growth since the 2019 elections as he addressed party supporters, who painted the Durban Exhibition Centre blue.
“The polls show the DA’s national percent is between 25 and 31%. And that’s incredible growth since the 2019 election and that’s thanks to your hard work here in KZN and around the country.”
He said the picture in KwaZulu-Natal was “even more exciting”.
“The Multi-Party Charter crossed the magic majority threshold here in KwaZulu-Natal. And this means we’re on track to take government next year – not only at a national level but in a coalition.”
“2024 is the moment we all have been waiting for, for many, many years. It’s our opportunity to rescue our country, and it’s your opportunity to play a role in making history here in KwaZulu-Natal, and it’s your way of making history in the country. So get out there, register, make sure that you vote for the DA and lets make our country the place that we know it can be.”
Watch Live in the video below:
Video Courtesy of DA.