STATEMENT BY DR MAMPHELA RAMPHELE
DA PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
Acceptance to stand as the DA's Presidential Candidate
I am honoured today to accept the invitation extended by the Democratic Alliance to stand as its Presidential Candidate for the 2014 elections.
I believe this decision is in the best interests of South Africa as we head into turbulent waters.
The death of Nelson Mandela has changed many things for South Africa.
It has caused us to reflect on our journey over the last 20 years, on the progress we have made, and on the opportunities utilised and lost.
South Africa has given the world wonderful icons. It has shown hope where there seemed to be none. It found leaders when journeys of hope had to be led.
Today is another astonishing moment in what we offer the people of South Africa, and once again the world.
A moment to once again glimpse the greatness that is us.
‘n Oomblik om weereens te sien hoe groot ons is.
A place where black and white, rich and poor, rural and urban, young and old, men and women, will come together at last.
This is the South Africa we dreamed of. This is the place Madiba set out for us that we will now create.
This is not the time to talk about the ANC. You know it all: the stolen money, the broken promises, the lost jobs, the sliding rand, the corruption, filthy hospitals, schools with no books, and streets, homes and places of work that remain unsafe.
We want rather to talk about tomorrow. The day that we begin anew to refresh the promise of 1994.
We are the government-in-waiting, we are the representatives of millions of South Africans, who believe in the promise and potential of a multiparty democracy, in a state that respects all people and works to deliver public services to those in need.
This is the time to bring all our country's fantastic wealth and talent together. Not for the few but for the many, not just for insiders but for allsiders.
Good people in the ANC have reached out to us, but are scared. Good business leaders have reached out to us but are nervous. Millions want to make a different choice in this election. They say is enough is enough.
This is your government-in-waiting. I will not lead you, not lead us, nor lead South Africa on the path of conflict but of commitment - to you, to your children, to health, to high quality education and job opportunities.
In my language, Sepedi we say, "Mmage ngwana o tshwara thipa ka bogaleng." (The mother always steps up to protect her offspring from danger.)
We are coming together to fulfill the promises of 1994 and restore our journey to the country of our dreams. Together, we are greater than the sum of our parts.
Once again South Africans are showing the world a wonderful way forward. This partnership will deliver the country of your dreams; the country of our dreams.
Issued by Agang SA, January 28 2014
Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter
