Cape Town - Increased delivery, accountability and a bigger focus on the youth - that’s what the DA in the Western Cape is promising as it prepares to hold on to power in the Western Cape next year.
“We’ve proven what we are capable of and have a track record of delivery and excellence,” said Ivan Meyer, the DA’s provincial leader on Thursday.
He said the party would go into the 2014 general election with five key objectives:
- To increase their electoral base from 51 percent to 60 percent.
- Help gain 30 percent of the national vote.
- Increase the voter base in targeted areas.
- Significantly increase opportunities for the youth.
- Continue to deliver and reduce poverty.
Meyer said that from May all MECs would be deployed across the province to engage with communities about issues affecting them.
He said there would be increased accountability among local councillors, who will from next month be compelled to report back to the communities on “exactly what they are doing in the ward” through a newsletter.
“In addition, 50 percent of DA ward councillors’ ward allocations must go to youth programmes,” he said.
Meyer said in the Western Cape the party was in talks with “top” ANC officials who wanted to join the DA before the elections.
“I can’t reveal the names, but people are going to be surprised,” he said.
“The DA’s march to the Union Buildings will start in Cape Town next year - with victories in the Western Cape, the Northern Cape and possibly in Gauteng,” said Meyer. “The ANC is no threat. Their deep division will result in their downfall once more.”
Meyer said divisions within the ANC would deepen even further over the next year.
“The tension within that party will help us in 2014,” he said.
About a premier candidate, Meyer said DA national leader Helen Zille would be put forward as the party’s candidate for the Western Cape.
“We’ve said that in our first term we needed stability and in the second term accelerated delivery. Helen Zille has done both during her first term,” he said.
“She should continue as premier for a second term before taking this party to the Union Buildings in 2019.”
Meyer said the party had already launched its ministerial handbook in the Northern Cape and would be launching a similar handbook in Gauteng later this year.
“It is a well-documented fact that the DA delivers where it governs,” he said.
“Many national reports by the auditor-general, the Public Service Commission and other national government departments and independent organisations have confirmed this.
“In 2014 we will accelerate delivery in the Western Cape focusing on a rural housing programme, the establishment of agriculture villages for farmworkers, infrastructure, water and electricity provision and that an economic social summit is held in the agriculture industry as a matter of urgency.”
Cape Argus