Port Elizabeth - The African National Congress is afraid to lose Nelson Mandela Bay to the Democratic Alliance on August 3 because the ANC knows that once that has happened they will never regain the city, DA leader Mmusi Maimane said on Sunday.
Speaking at an election meeting in Port Elizabeth, he said it was clear that the DA, a movement for change, was reaching more and more South Africans longing for a better South Africa that created jobs, delivered better services, and eliminated corruption.
“And the reality is that as much as this excites many of us, it scares those who have been in power for the last 22 years. It scares them because when they lose here in Nelson Mandela Bay, they will never win it back because we will do what they failed to do, and that is to improve your lives.
“It will not happen immediately, but the DA has shown that wherever we govern, things move in the right direction. Things move forward again. More people are able to find work, the streets are cleaner, water will come out of the taps, houses will be built, and you will be proud to say that you live in a municipality that is governed by a party that cares for you and your community,” Maimane said.
In an apparent reference to President Jacob Zuma, Maimane said some had tried to make this municipal election about race because they could not talk about delivering services to the people, about stopping corruption, and about creating jobs, because they had done the opposite of all of this.
“Our opponents have even tried making this election about apartheid because they do not have policies and plans for building a better South Africa for you and future generations. The other day Jacob Zuma was saying that we are confused. But the opposite is true.
“If you want to know the real state of the ANC, don't take my word for it - listen to what former president Kgalema Motlanthe, who is also a former secretary general of the ANC, has to say: He says that 'the ANC is racing to the bottom, and it may reach a point where there is nothing left to salvage'. He says the ANC has left the country on 'autopilot', and that 'there is no leadership'.
“This is true. The ANC has abandoned the people. It governs for itself - for a few well-connected, corrupt people. They take all of the jobs and the opportunities for themselves, and they don't care about you. That's why unemployment is growing, that's why the economy is doing so badly.
“In this election, the DA has presented to you a plan on how we are going to attract investment, grow the economy, and create much needed jobs. We've shown you that we do not abuse your money and steal what is meant for the people. We are honest - if we say we will do something, we will. If we can't do something, we will tell you.
“The DA has told you how it is going to stop corruption, which eats away at thousands of opportunities, but they say we are confused. While we have been working and building they have been fighting among themselves, talking about the DA and not telling people how they are going to better they lives.
“They have become obsessed with the DA, which is moving forward faster than they ever thought it would. The DA is the only party that can reignite the dream which Tata Madiba brought South Africa in 1994, and make it a reality.
“The ANC has stripped our people of all hope and dignity, therefore it is our duty as the DA to ensure that hope and dignity are restored,” Maimane said.
African News Agency