‘Know Your DA' campaign shifts votes in by-elections

The DA showed significant growth in by-elections contested across South Africa yesterday. We retained all 5 DA wards, and made significant inroads in the 3 ANC-held wards we contested.

For the last month, our structures in these ANC wards have been campaigning with material related to our ‘Know Your DA' campaign. The campaign tells the story of how DA leaders - past and present - opposed apartheid.

The results show that the ‘Know Your DA' campaign is being positively received and shifting votes:

• In Metsimaholo ward 10 (Free State), the DA grew its support by 17 percentage points from 11% in 2011 to 28% in yesterday's by-election.
• In Greater Tzaneen ward 24 (Limpopo), the DA grew its support by 9 percentage points from 5% in 2011 to 14% in yesterday's by-election.
• In Makhuduthamaga ward 27 (Limpopo), the DA grew its support by 24 percentage points from 2% in 2011 to 26% in yesterday's by-election.

Taken together, the DA grew its support in these 3 wards from 6% in 2011 to 22% in yesterday's by-elections.

This growth in former ANC strongholds bodes well for the DA's prospects at the national and provincial elections to be held next year.

Statement issued by Mmusi Maimane, DA national spokesperson, April 25 2013

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