Makhura must come out and debate jobs in Gauteng 

6 April 2014

Note to editors: This is an extract from a speech delivered by DA Gauteng Premier Candidate Mmusi Maimane to thousands of supporters in Buhleni Park, Tembisa. The DA's Ekhuruleni Jobs Rally began with a mass march in support of job creation policies through the streets of Tembisa.

Democrats, thank you for coming out in your thousands today in support of policies that can create jobs and cut corruption in Gauteng. Today we have painted Tembisa blue and on 7 May Gauteng will be blue! 

This week we have won a great victory in the South Gauteng High Court. The ANC took us to court because we told Gauteng voters the truth about Nkandla. We told voters in Gauteng that the Nkandla report shows how Jacob Zuma stole your money for his R246 million private homestead in Nkandla. 

The ANC in Gauteng fears the truth because they know this election will go down to the wire in Gauteng. But democrats, this week a court has protected our right to freedom of speech. 

The court has said that based on the many findings in the Public Protector's report, it is now fair to say that President Zuma has stolen our money. 

This week we saw how the Gauteng ANC supported President Zuma despite a mountain of evidence that corruption took place in Nkandla. 

So today I challenge David Makhura, the ANC's Premier candidate, to come out and debate me on what is really best for the people of Gauteng. Makhura must tell us why we must support corruption in government. 

He must tell us why we must accept e-tolls. He must tell us why there is a good story to tell when all we see around us is unemployment under Zuma's ANC. The people deserve to know who and what they are voting for. 

Democrats on 7 May we can and we must win Gauteng for the sake of job creation and clean government. 

There is so much unemployment in the east of Gauteng. There are so many small businesses struggling to survive. There are so many people waiting for title deeds for their houses, and so many who live without basic services. 

Together we can direct that R6billion lost every year to corruption in Gauteng back to the people. We can open tender committees so that the public can see who gets the contracts and why.

Together we can pass a law that prevents government officials from doing business with the state. Together we can cut all luxuries, credit card abuse and expensive cars and swimming pools for MEC's by bringing a new Ministerial Handbook to Gauteng. 

And together we can vote in a party that will never allow anyone convicted of corruption to hold public office. 

We know that housing is a major issue in Tembisa. Together we can vote in a party that will fast-track the rollout of title deeds to people with government houses. 

Families must be able to invest in their property and use it to expand their livelihoods. We must also ensure that quality houses are built and that corrupt contractors don't get the tender to build sub-standard houses. 

Together we can vote for policies that help people start businesses in Ekhuruleni, businesses that can create jobs and support families. In government we will break larger tenders down into smaller ones so that small businesses can compete. 

We will expand government's database of community suppliers so that people right here in this community can win tenders. 

We will pay suppliers on time so that small businesses don't have to close up shop because government owes them money. 

And we will make it cheaper to bid for tenders so that everyone has a fair chance to compete. By working with you to bring better services and infrastructure to Ekhuruleni, we can also attract investment here that creates jobs for residents. We must make it easy for investors to open their factories here in Ekhuruleni so that residents can find work. 

I want to thank the leadership of various community organizations for pledging their support today - the African National Housing  Association, Ekhuruleni Concerned Residents and the Wattville Residents Association. 

Today you have shown the courage to reject corruption and unemployment under Zuma's ANC, and endorse policies that can create jobs and bring clean government to Gauteng. 

Democrats on 7 May we must come out in our numbers to vote for change. Together we can bring change that creates jobs in Gauteng. Amandla! 

Issued by the DA, April 6 2014

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