DA shares vision for Gauteng and SA

On 10 January, Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane shared the party’s vision for South Africa at the Midrand Conference Centre.

Unemployment, education and service delivery were high on the agenda.

DA Gauteng premier candidate Solly Msimanga told a harrowing story of the Gauteng province – hospitals and management of municipalities are still lacking. He added that service delivery needs to be at the forefront of everything that the party does.

“It is good and well that the provincial treasuries are always pumping money to municipalities. But it is bad if you are not able to assist in ensuring that the money that you are pumping to these municipalities get to be converted into projects that are going to uplift the lives of the people”.

Msimanga added that although there are challenges to transform decades of mismanagement, the party said it is still on a mission to create an inclusive society.

Maimane then spoke of his vision for the Gauteng province and South Africa. He said for too many parents, their dream for the education system is fast turning into a nightmare.

“When I took my son to his first day of school I realised that this is not a dream that [all] South Africans have. Most of our children don’t finish school and the majority of our children in Grade 4 cannot comprehend what they are reading.”

He added that if the education system does not change for the better, the rate of unemployment will reach the ceiling.

“Only four in 10 homes have a job, our economy has allowed for a space where too many people can’t find work.

“Unless we end up in a South Africa where every house, every home has a job then we haven’t achieved the dream of one South Africa for all.

“My vision is that there must be a job in every home.”

He also urged the community to rally their family and friends to register to vote on the 26 and 27 January.

“You have the power to use [your vote] in these elections, let us register everybody.”

Maimane encouraged community members to give children a country where their dreams can be achieved.

*Note: In this week’s edition of the Midrand Reporter, Week ending 25 January, 2019, this story, which appeared on Page 3 of the newspaper, attributed the incorrect title to the Democratic Alliance leader, Mmusi Maimane. The article said he was the party’s Gauteng Premier Candidate. This is incorrect. He is, in fact, the party’s leader. The Midrand Reporter apologises for this error. Solly Msimanga is, in fact, the Gauteng Premier Candidate, as stated in the revised story above. 

Related article: 

https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/107289/sas-political-landscape-is-no-party-or-tough-competition-in-the-2014-elections-3/