‘We will vote for change’
Thousands of DA supporters went to the Polokwane showgrounds on Sunday as the party brought out its big guns to launch its election manifesto.
POLOKWANE – Thousands of DA supporters went to the Polokwane showgrounds on Sunday as the party brought out its big guns to launch its election manifesto.
DA senior member in Gauteng, Mmusi Maimane, MP, Dr Wilmot James, Limpopo premier candidate, Langa Bodlani, Cape Town mayor, Patricia de Lille, DA parliamentary leader, Lindiwe Mazibuko and federal DA leader, Helen Zille were the speakers of the day, and providing entertainment were Tiro Moshosho and Freshly Ground.
The DA’s message, delivered by each speaker, was clear: “Enough is enough. Our destiny is in our hands.”
Review spoke to some supporters to find out what they expected from the party.
Maria Nkomo (37) from Sekhukhune says service delivery is something she believes the DA can change for her.
“I have to walk 5km to get water for daily use, and there are people in our village who still get sick because the water is not clean. When we are admitted to hospital, we lie there for two days without proper care and this is not what we as South Africans deserve. I want the DA to make my life better through better service delivery,” she says.
Mary Baloyi believes that the DA will bring change in education. “My baby is only two months old and I am here to stand up and show that I need our education department to change. I must think about my son’s future. The textbook crisis and lack of schools is a worry. It needs to be sorted out before my son goes to school. I need to send him to a school where children are not in danger of falling into a toilet or getting sick because of unhygienic conditions,” she says.
Andrew Mabuala (25) says he has been struggling to get permanent employment since he matriculated. “I need a job.
A job not bound by contract time, but a permanent job. My wife and children depend on me. How can they if I am not sure of an income after six months. I will be voting DA as I believe that they will bring the change I need; a change in my future that has not been provided for me by any other political party,” he says.
Daniel Sekele (60) says that while housing is important there is nothing more important than jobs. “Jobs come first, then housing and services. What does a house mean to me if I don’t have an income to buy food and put furniture in my house? The DA will do this for us here as they have done it in the Cape where they have been helping the people since they took over,” he says.
Frans Maunatlala says the biggest need in the country is jobs. “I want a job. I need to see change. I cannot just do piecejobs and make a life out of working here and there, that is not an income. I need a real job that will give me a steady income and money that I can save for the future. The DA promises change, they promise jobs. That’s why I am here, I need to speak up. Who else will help me if the DA does not give me a voice?” he asks.
Sandy Mogahedi and Magdeline Mokhoanoa say they want a better future for the school children in rural areas. “We need a government that will give the children books, classes and sanitation and will help them get to the schools; walking for kilometres is no longer an option. Our children must get to school and back, and be safe doing so,” they say.
Juliet Mholongo and Simon Tlema say they have been given a great life to live but would like to see a better future in every aspect for the children of tomorrow, and they believe that the DA will provide this.
James Moake, Mpho Leshoka, Charlie Nachri and Raphasha Maswanganye, all 14 years old, say education is the future and if the DA promises this, they will support them.
