DA manifesto for jobs – Zille

SINCE Jacob Zuma was elected president, 1,4 million more South Africans have joined the ranks of the unemployed; nearly eight million people do not have work with many having given up looking.

This was according to DA federal leader, Helen Zille during the launch of the party’s election manifesto at the Polokwane Show Grounds on Sunday.

Zille said the ANC today was not Nelson Mandela’s ANC. She said they were two different parties, which just happened to have the same name. “Zuma’s administration is smashing the good with a hammer. The better life for all is now a better life for a few.

“The Auditor-General has found that corruption and maladministration cost South Africa R30 billion last year. Think about what we could have done for the poor with that money,” Zille said.

She said the DA’s manifesto was for jobs because every proposal in the manifesto aimed to get millions of South Africans into real, permanent jobs created in a growing economy.

“Change is possible. Jobs are possible. Six million permanent jobs are within our grasp if we seize the moment at this election. “Job creation is possible if we cut corruption,” she said, promising to stop politicians and their families doing business within government, and that tender processes would be opened up to public scrutiny.

Zille said where the DA was already governing, there was a low rate of unemployment.

She also touched on the crime rate, education and the economy, among other burning issues.

“Don’t believe the lies of our opponents, we will not take away social grants but we all believe that people would rather have a real permanent job than have to depend on a grant.

“The DA has always supported social grants as a means to alleviate poverty and we continue to do so.

“This is why we will implement a social grant system with built-in incentives to encourage young people to get their matric and study further, so that they have the skills they need to get a proper job.”