Your vote can make history!
21 April 2014
Note to Editors: This is an extract of a speech delivered by DA Leader Helen Zille in Seeisoville Stadium, Free State today.
Democrats,
We gather two weeks and two days away from the general election. The countdown is on to the most important poll in twenty years. There is a big difference in this election. That difference is the mighty blue army of committed South Africans who love this country and care about building its future: the Democratic Alliance! Today, the DA is uniting South Africans in every corner of the country behind our vision of an Open, Opportunity Society for All.
We are growing day by day, getting bigger and stronger. We will be the official opposition in the Free State after this election, and we will grow our support substantially. Today, we stand here united with one purpose and one voice: together for change.
And the DA's voice cannot be silenced. When the SABC tried to take the Ayisafani advert off the air last week, nearly 500 000 people went to view it on YouTube! We didn't back down to bullying, we stood together and won. The ANC should have learnt by now: you can't hold the DA back! We are coming. Siyeza!
I have travelled across South Africa in the past few weeks, and never before have so many people been so receptive to hearing the DA's message. More and more voters are beginning to feel that they can take their destiny into their own hands. That they can use the power of their vote to actively chose the future they want for them and their families.
On 7 May, voters can change South Africa for the better. They can choose a government that respects them and considers their needs above the wants of powerful leaders. They can choose a government that serves the people, and that has a real plan to create six million sustainable jobs.
That is why we we will be launching our final poster of this election this week: Your vote can make history!
With two weeks to go, we know that it is possible to stop Jacob Zuma's ANC from getting even more power to abuse. We can reclaim our position as the official opposition in the Free State, we can stop Jacob Zuma from getting more than 60% of the vote nationally, and we can stop him from getting more than 50% in Gauteng. It's very close, but we can do it. We must.
There are two big players in the ring: the DA and the ANC. No other political party in South Africa has a chance of getting even 10% in this election. Only the DA can stop corruption and create jobs. The ANC will not do it. Other parties cannot do it. Even where the DA is in opposition, we expose more corruption and represent the voters better than any other party. A vote for any other party is a wasted vote -- there is no other opposition party other than the DA that can form a provincial administration, or become the official opposition in any of the nine provinces.
Today I make an urgent appeal to all voters who have decided not to vote for Jacob Zuma's ANC anymore: give the DA a chance and see how well we will serve you. I appeal to voters for other opposition parties not to split the vote: stand with the DA on 7 May! Together we can bring change, together we can create jobs.
The DA is the only party big enough to challenge Jacob Zuma's ANC dominance in the Free State. This province has suffered from corruption and maladministration. But, above all, this province has suffered from what its leaders failed to do to uphold the values of the constitution.
The ANC provincial government has failed to deliver a better life for all. If we stand together, we will be the official opposition in the Free State on 8 May. And it is critical that we are as strong an official opposition as possible.
We will hold the provincial government to account, and present our alternative plan for government in this province. A plan based on real, sustainable job-creating economic growth.
We stand together for change, and together for jobs in the Free State.
There are two stories on offer in the Free State today. There is Jacob Zuma's ANC. And there is the DA's Open Opportunity Society for All.
The opportunity to shape the future for the better lies in your hands.
Issued by the DA, April 21 2014
Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter
