A vote for the DA is a vote for Madiba's dream

Note to editors: This extract is based on a speech delivered by the DA National Spokesperson at a by-election campaign rally in Lukhanji municipality in the Eastern Cape.

My fellow democrats, it's a privilege to be here today.

This is indeed one of my favourite places in the world. This province that gave birth to my family, a bakwa Sidloyi, e Covimvaba.

I'm excited to be here because what was once the most neglected area of our country - a province divided into bantustans - a place with no resources and no hope, today has the potential to be great.

I'm excited to be here because this place produced the greatest leader in our nation's history - Nelson Mandela. Whenever I am here, I think of Madiba's dream for our country.

You know, Madiba's vision is that we would all be free. All of us, black, white, coloured, Indian - all united in our diversity - united in the quest for a better life.

So I cannot help but think that he would be proud of us today.

Because nothing says freedom more than putting on these blue t-shirts in this province. Some years ago it would not have been safe for us to wear these t-shirts in this area.

Some years ago, people would not have believed that we here - in our diversity - could wear this colour in this province.

Some people would not have believed that I can stand before you today as the Deputy Federal Chairperson of the Democratic Alliance.

But we are here today, wearing blue, because we believe that things can be better.

This is Nelson Mandela's dream, that every South African would have the freedom to choose for him or herself. That we could choose what the best way is for us to make our lives better.

And South Africa has made strides towards achieving Madiba's dream. We are free to move around today, we are free to marry who we wish, we are free to work where we want to.

But for some, Madiba's dream is fading.

When government spends R250 million on a house for one person, but doesn't build houses for this community, that dream fades.

When children in this province have to walk 12 km to school to find no teachers and no textbooks, that dream fades.

When our women and children are raped and murdered in our streets, that dream fades.

I know of one girl whose dream has faded. She has a masters degree, but cannot find a job because others in COSATU are opposing a youth wage subsidy. And without a job, she doesn't believe in the future. She doesn't believe that tomorrow will be better.

Because, you see, ultimately our people need more than just hopes and dreams. They need results. They need to see and feel things getting better. That is why we have chosen to wear these blue t-shirts today. Because in this party, we know we can make things better.

Let's all agree - no matter our race, or political history - on a few things.

Let's all agree that we need a government that works.

Let's all agree that we need a government that doesn't steal from the people.

Let's all agree that we need a government that cares more about the people than about its own welfare.

Let's all agree that we need a government that grows the economy, so that poor people can find jobs.

Let's all agree that we need a government that provides decent education. If our people continue to receive inferior education, nothing will change.

Let's all agree that we need a government that unites South Africans.

Let's all agree that we need proper health care. Today is world AIDS day. AIDS is the greatest health challenge our people have ever faced. HIV and AIDS has the ability to destroy lives and destroy communities.

That is why the location of your birth, or the colour of your skin, should never, ever determine the quality of your clinic. We have to provide proper health care to all, so that we can beat this disease!

The only way for us to be truly free, to realise Madiba's vision for South Africa, is to deliver these outcomes to the people.

I am here to tell you that the DA can deliver these things.

I say this, because I have seen it.

I saw it at our Federal Congress last week, where people from all walks of life, all cultures, all races, were united in fighting for a better future. And where we elected our most diverse leadership yet!

I see it in the Western Cape, where unemployment is the lowest, and the matric pass rate is the highest. And, by the way, where there are no corruption scandals!

I see it in DA municipalities, where we deliver electricity, water, refuse removal and proper infrastructure.

We achieve these things, because we measure the performance of all our public representatives - and we hold them accountable. We do this, because we know that when public officials don't do their jobs, they don't only steal your money, they steal your freedom.

So I am here to ask you for your support in this by-election.

Electing our candidate is not going to fix all the problems in Lukhanji municipality immediately. We will need to win control of government in this municipality, in the province and in the country to implement all of our policies.

But you can start to put South Africa on the right course, by changing course and voting DA next week.

The time for change is now!

Stand by us now, and we will work to deliver Madiba's dream for South Africa!

Statement issued by Mmusi Maimane, DA National Spokesperson, December 1 2012

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