Johannesburg - A 21-year-old mother attended the DA “We Can Win Concert” rally with her three-month-old baby at Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown on Sunday.
Mbali Luthuli didn’t let the scorching sun or the baby deter her from going to the concert to show her support for the DA.
“My presence is needed here, for me I need change in the future. Right now, the ANC is different.
“We don’t see any change in employment and education, I’m voting for opportunity,” Luthuli said.
The unemployed mother said she could not continue with her studies after the National Student Financial Aid Scheme failed to continue funding her this year. The scheme told her there was not enough money for everyone.
“It’s important for me to vote for change. My vote will change how things are currently. We have to celebrate the future of the DA,” said Luthuli.
The square was covered in blue-and-white banners and the stage had a massive poster of DA Gauteng premiership candidate Mmusi Maimane and Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille.
DA Youth member Kefilwe Mphiriwe said the high turn-out was due to the fact that buses had transported people from as far as Mpumalanga and Gauteng’s neighbouring provinces.
Most of those who attended were oblivious of the fact that three buses carrying DA supporters were stoned on their way to the rally.
Maimane said police were interviewing hundreds of DA members after two buses were attacked with stones between Alexandra and the venue.
“A driver was hospitalised and three buses were badly damaged. One bus was so heavily stoned that it is no longer usable,” he said.
The bus company owner, who would not give his name, said he did not know if the incident was politically motivated and whether ANC supporters were involved.
”The ANC are clearly panicking at the prospect of losing Gauteng. But there is no excuse for endangering the lives of our supporters,” Maimane said.
The Star