Jobs Campaign: DA has Gauteng in its sights

Note to editors: Below are DA Leader Helen Zille's remarks at the unveiling of a ‘Working for Change. Working for Jobs' billboard next to the Soweto Highway.

Yesterday, we launched our Jobs Campaign at Freedom Park in Pretoria. Today, our national campaign begins with the unveiling of the first 'Working for Change. Working For Jobs' billboard next to the Soweto Highway.  

It is no secret that the DA is targeting Gauteng at the next election.

With the Western Cape, Gauteng forms the economic hub of our country. If we can get Gauteng working, we can get South Africa working.

The DA has proved in the Western Cape what it can do in government. 

We are turning around the education system to give more young people a fair chance of entering the job market or further training. Our matric pass rate is the highest in the country, with some of our best performing schools to be found in the poorest areas.

We are rolling out crucial infrastructure such as roads, rail and broadband that will enhance the Western Cape's attractiveness to investors.

We are helping young people get the skills they need through our Work and Skills Programme which incentivises businesses to start training programmes.

We are helping people to start their own businesses with our ‘red tape to red carpet' programme which cuts out the government regulations that strangle innovation.  

No wonder the Western Cape's economic growth rate is higher than the national growth rate.  

We have a long way to go in the Western Cape, but we are heading in the right direction. As long as we keep working for change and working for jobs, we can make a real difference in people's lives.

The DA's goal is to put Gauteng on the same trajectory. But we can only do if we are elected to govern here. In the next two years, the DA will redouble its efforts to bring its message of hope and change to every citizen of Gauteng. 

The road to 2014 starts now.

Issued by the DA, July 29 2012

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