One week until we make history. One week until we bring 2-million jobs to Gauteng

Note to editors: Below is an extract of a speech prepared for delivery by DA Leader Helen Zille in Alexandra and Orange Farm in Johannesburg today.

30 April 2014

Democrats,

Today is one week until we make history. 7 days until we bring change to Gauteng and South Africa.

And most importantly, today is one week until a clean, corruption-free, DA government can start to grow the economy and create 2 million real jobs in Gauteng. That's right -- 2 million real, permanent jobs in this province. That is what the DA's jobs plan could bring to Gauteng if we are elected to govern here next Wednesday.

This is not a made up figure. Neither are we referring to "work opportunities". These are real, permanent jobs in a growing and thriving economy.

Our plan to get the economy growing and creating jobs have been costed and modelled, and we have shown that our plan will create 6 million real jobs across South Africa. And Gauteng is the hub of the South African economy - this is where industry is biggest, and where job creation should be fastest. Its location, infrastructure and economies of scale mean that this province should be outpacing the rest of the country. It has all the ingredients for greatness and success.

That's why our modelling shows that 2 million of these jobs could be created in Gauteng alone.

But Gauteng is not growing. Jobs are not being created nearly fast enough.

Between 2009 and 2013, the DA-governed Western Cape created more jobs than Gauteng. Yet this province's labour market is double the size of the Western Cape. This is a waste of our most valuable resource: Young people who are ready and waiting to work.

We have shown that we have a credible plan to create real jobs, and most important, that we can deliver on that plan. Where voters choose the DA, we get the economy growing so that businesses create thousands of new jobs that benefit everyone. That is why the one province that is already governed by the DA also is the province with the lowest unemployment in South Africa. That is no coincidence.

With Mmusi Maimane as your premier, the DA will turn Gauteng into the economic powerhouse that it should be. Our plan guarantees university funding to all qualifying matrics. Our plan will put 1 million young South Africans in internships. Our plan will support entrepreneurs, cut red tape, introduce a provincial youth wage subsidy, and invest in infrastructure (without making residents pay for it several times over, like e-tolls).

Our plan will cut corruption, by banning government employees from doing business with the government; and by opening up tender committees to the public.

With a plan like this, there is no reason why Gauteng could not also experience much faster economic growth that attracts new investment, supports small businesses and entrepreneurs, and creates new jobs.

The reason Gauteng is not creating jobs is that it has a government that is more interested in getting rich than delivering a growing economy. While corruption has gone up, economic growth, and job creation has gone down.

But anything is possible next week. Everyone is getting the feeling that something great is about to take place in Gauteng. The voters in Gauteng can use the power of their vote to fire a corrupt government and choose a government that will bring change and job-creating economic growth.

We can reduce the ANC's majority below 50%. The DA is the ANC's only challenger in Gauteng. And we can make history one week from today!

If every DA voter comes out and votes on May 7, we can make history in this province.

We can make history on May 7 because more South Africans are realizing that the promise of a better life for all might be promised by the ANC, but it is being delivered by the DA.

We can make history in Gauteng because we have the track record in government to show that we deliver for all.

All of these things will only become a reality if you stand with the DA on May 07.

Your vote can make history!

Together for change, Together for Jobs!

Issued by the DA, April 30 2014

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