South Africa, March for Change – Mmusi Maimane

The reckless and irrational decision of President Zuma to fire Nhlanhla Nene is a turning point in our young democracy’s history.

As South Africans we can either allow the President to continue to wreck our country’s economy and its future or we can stand up for a better future and choose change. Change that puts South Africa and its people first. Change that removes a corrupt President intent on enriching the lives of his friends, family and himself. Change that focuses on fixing our economy and creating jobs.

On 27 January 2016, the Democratic Alliance will convene a march in the centre of Johannesburg, for change that creates jobs. We call on all South Africans – from business, civil society and all sectors - who believe in building a better future for South Africa to join us in a march in solidarity with the poor and unemployed South Africans who are suffering as a result of no economic leadership.

Since Tuesday evening’s decision, the rand has plummeted to record lows, investor confidence has further dampened and ratings agencies have issued comments that should make us very concerned about the probability of South Africa being downgraded to “junk status”. In addition, our banks have lost billions of their value on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

Yesterday’s economic decline, in the context of broader mismanagement of the economy by President Zuma’s government, will undoubtedly see unemployment growing and the current 8,2 million unemployed people even further from job opportunities.

In spite of this turmoil, President Zuma remains silent and to date has advanced no reasons for his irresponsible decision that has put the futures of so many citizens are risk, most particularly the poor and unemployed who are bearing the brunt of South Africa’s economic crisis.

As the economy declines, and the fiscus is burdened by stagnant growth and increasing debt costs, so our ability to pay social grants will decrease and eventually grant funds will run out. The harsh reality is that President Zuma is setting South Africa up to further impoverish our poorest fellow South Africans.

We cannot stand by and allow our country to be harmed irreparably by a President who does not care about us. It is time for change.

Next year’s Elections present an opportunity to show Zuma’s ANC that our country and its people are ready for change. Across the country, we all have an opportunity to exercise our constitutional right to vote the ANC out of municipal councils and Metros and to show that Zuma’s ANC government lacks legitimacy.

That process will start with our March for Change and will be followed up on 05 & 06 February 2016 when South Africans can register to vote in municipal elections to be held later in the year.

Our country has achieved far too much to allow one man and his dishonest government to destroy our future. In January, let’s stand together and start bringing change to South Africa.

Statement issued by Mmusi Maimane