Maimane finds support in job rally

The march was led by DA Gauteng premier candidate Mmusi Maimane.

The march formed part of the mass mobilisation programme announced at the launch of the DA’s provincial manifesto, titled Pledge to the People, at the Ellis Park Arena recently.

Anyone could join, and Maimane was endorsed by a number of community organisations based in the East of Gauteng, who publicly withdrew their support from the ANC and endorsed Maimane for premier.

Among them were the Ekurhuleni Concerned Residents Association, African National Housing Association, the Phomolong Backyard Dwellers Association and the Wattville Residents Association.

Maimane was also joined by DA provincial chairperson, Mike Moriarty, DA regional chairperson, Paul Willemburg and constituency head, MP Michael Waters.

In his speech delivered at the march, Maimane mentioned the DA’s great victory in the South Gauteng High Court.

The ANC took the DA to court, because the DA 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.”

Maimane challenges the ANC’s premier candidate, David Makhura, to come out and debate him on what is 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.”

Maimane mentioned 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 R6-billion 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.

“Together we can vote for policies that help people start businesses in Ekurhuleni, 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 Ekurhuleni, we can also attract investment here that creates jobs for residents.

“We must make it easy for investors to open their factories here in Ekurhuleni so that residents can find work.”