'We Can Win' - 5 pledges for a DA-governed Gauteng

Note to editors: This is a speech delivered by DA Leader Helen Zille at the ‘We Can Win' Gauteng rally that took place in Newtown, Johannesburg today.

Tomorrow is both Father's Day and Youth Day, and it is moving that both days will be celebrated together, for the first time that I can remember. We are all constantly thinking of the Father of the Nation, former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, affectionately called Tata Madiba, who is not well. We continue to think of him and pray for him, and celebrate all he did for South Africa. We also remember the youth of 1976 and continue to work for the country they fought for. 

It is wonderful to be here in Gauteng - the province with the buzz of youthful energy that always makes me excited for the future. 

Everyone here today knows that something profound is taking place in Gauteng. Suddenly, everyone is talking about change. And they believe in it.

Let there be no doubt: South Africans are witnessing a once-in-a-generation change in direction. But this change has been a long time in the making.  

The DA in 2013 is now viewed by everyone - our supporters and opponents alike - as the ANC's only competitor in Gauteng. 

Many people, including ANC leaders, are saying the DA can win. 

Well now I want to say it - loud and clear. WE CAN WIN GAUTENG IN 2014. WE CAN WIN! 

What seemed unimaginable a few years ago is now looking likely. The DA is marching towards victory in Gauteng next year. 

We can win here for two reasons. The first is plain and simple: the ANC has let this province down badly. People here feel let down. Most people aren't feeling confident about their future anymore. 

From e-tolls to an increase in unemployment of over 400 000 people since 2009, to the failure to implement a youth wage subsidy - the residents of Gauteng have been let down. The provincial government has failed to turn South Africa's richest province into jobs and a better life for the majority of its residents. 

One statistic stands out. 

In 2012, the office of the premier revealed that the province had misused over 10 per cent - that is R6, 6 billion - of its budget on unauthorized, irregular and wasteful expenditure in the previous year. Can you imagine what could and should have been done with that money? New schools, better public transport, new hospitals, a better life for all. 

But the second reason we can win is truly exciting. 

We can win because more South Africans are realizing that while the ANC talks about the promise of a better life for all, the DA is delivering a better life for all. 

We can win Gauteng because we have the power to write a new story for the province. We can restore people's confidence in the future. We can get South Africa's most important provincial economy growing again. 

Let's just pick up that Gauteng statistic again.

While the ANC squandered R6, 6 billion, the DA-led Western Cape maintained its tradition of clean governance. 

Now, if like me, you are having trouble imagining what R6, 6 billion looks like, let's take a look at what a clean and capable government can do. 

In 2013, the Western Cape Department of Education was able to provide 1, 6 million more text books over and above what is required by national standards and practice. That means that every single child has a textbook in all of their subjects, all of the time. 

This year we've built two new hospitals in the poorest parts of Cape Town - Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain. 

This is not about telling you what a good job we're doing in the Western Cape. This is about showing you how we can change things for the better here in Gauteng. 

Gauteng is the economic heartland and transportation hub of the country. South Africa stands or falls on Gauteng's success because of its economic might. 

If South Africa is to succeed, Gauteng must succeed. 

And for Gauteng to succeed, the DA needs to govern here. We need to start fixing the schools here so that our children can get a quality education. 

Education defines every child's life chances. But it also defines an entire nation's chances. 

I have seen how poor education reproduces inequality in the next generation.

Let me be frank here. Even when we get every child to a decent level of education, the competition will remain harsh. But, the DA will not rest until every child gets a fair start.

Because we've done it in the Western Cape, I can say to you today that a DA-led government in Gauteng will provide every child with a textbook for every subject.

This year, the Human Rights Commission said that the Western Cape was the only province to deliver 100 per cent of text books for the year. By 2015, they will be able to also add a DA-led Gauteng to this tally. 

In the DA-led Western Cape, we have also done other things which this Province cannot do, because its political leadership is too divided.

What happens to Gauteng school leavers who cannot find work? 

The Gauteng provincial government has failed to respond to the crisis of youth unemployment in both word and deed. 

As a mother, I find every meeting with a young person who is unemployed heartrending. Unemployment is a tragedy for individuals of every age, but especially young people. 

That's why we established the Work and Skills Programme in the Western Cape. 

This is the first Youth Wage Subsidy programme in the country. 

I have not met one young person out of work, or in a job, who thought that the youth wage subsidy was a bad idea. 

Simply put, the programme provides jobless young people who have matric, or an equivalent qualification, the opportunity to take part in a six month work placement scheme. Most then go on to be employed full-time. 

Because we've done it where we govern, I can pledge to you today that when we win Gauteng, the DA-led provincial government will introduce the same programme here. 

The DA is also looking at ways to support entrepreneurs, who are the new job creators in any economy. We support them so that they can do what they do best, grow their businesses, hire more people, and create growth and jobs in the economy.

 In 2011, we revealed a comprehensive plan to cut red tape in the Western Cape. The Red Tape to Red Carpet Programme does two things. 

One, it gets rid of legislation which makes it difficult for entrepreneurs to succeed. 

Two, it bolsters the efficiency and customer service standards within the government and City of Cape Town.

The DA is going to do exactly the same in Gauteng to make it easier for entrepreneurs to set up businesses here. A Johannesburg or Midvaal entrepreneur needs to be able to register their new business with as much ease as, say, someone in Kigali or Singapore. 

We also know that communities in Gauteng live in fear of crime. We can only really achieve a better life if we can feel safe and secure in our own homes. Crime wrecks lives and communities. 

So in our first year of government, we will introduce a Community Safety Bill modelled on the same Western Cape legislation.

This was another first for South Africa. It will enable Gauteng, from next year, to monitor the Police better and make sure that they are doing their job.

So you can see that when it comes to government, the DA looks at the big picture. 

We've opposed e-tolls in Gauteng because they will hit poor and middle-income people the hardest. We don't just oppose though. Last week, the DA gave R1 million to Outa for their legal challenge to e-tolls. 

In the Western Cape we've fought e-tolls before they were built, and we are winning. But your provincial government did not do that. They didn't stand up for you, they failed you. 

Where we govern, we will fight e-tolls like we have done in the Western Cape, like we've done in Parliament, and like we are doing in Gauteng. 

Even if we can do these five things, Gauteng will be a much better place. 

We can begin to build a better life in this province like we are doing wherever enough people vote for us. We want this province to thrive again; we want its people to thrive, to feel hopeful for the future and confident about their lives. 

Our model of government is based on the inspiring and energizing idea that says we are all better if we work together.

It is based on the hard work and efforts of people, together with a capable and dedicated government, to build a strong society. 

I know we can win. 

But winning is only the first part. 

Being in government will involve taking hard choices to get Gauteng working and moving forward again. 

It was hard from day one when we took office in the Western Cape. And it will be difficult here.

This is a big moment for our party and our province. It truly is our rendezvous with destiny.  

This is a great province with a great future. 

The people of Gauteng look to the DA to provide bold solutions to big problems. 

As we have seen in by-election after by-election, the people of this province are voting for change. And the DA is that change. 

Politics, as you know, is a rough business. And the Gauteng contest is going to be tough. I expect the election to be close. 

 But public service also brings out, what Lincoln called, the ‘better angels of our nature'.

I would not have come in politics if I did not believe that public duty, service, kindness, patriotism, and looking out for others, would win the day. This is why we can win. 

The DA's belief in bold ideas, a compassionate heart, and a service spirit will prevail. 

It is at work every hour of every day as the DA strengthens in size and purpose in Gauteng.

Thank you for everything you do for the DA. I do not forget for one moment that you make the dream possible. You are simply the best of South Africa.

The DA can win. 

The DA must win. 

And together, we will win. 

Issued by the DA, June 15 2013

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