POLOKWANE – With South Africa at a crossroads, the Democratic Alliance (DA) says its offer to voters is clear: honest leadership, a government that works, and an economy that creates opportunity for all.

In an interview with the Polokwane Observer, Councillor Bianca Mocke (Capricorn District Municipality Councillor and Polokwane campaign manager for the DA), was joined by members of the DA’s Polokwane campaign team, including Councillor Rita James, Councillor Jacques Joubert, Councillor Roelof Lourens and candidate Chester Seabi.

Together, they outlined the party’s core vision for the next five to ten years, its track record in government, and its specific plans for Polokwane.

James described the DA’s vision as building an “Open, Opportunity Society for All” – a South Africa where success is not determined by race, culture, background or financial situation. “The DA wants to build a better South Africa for all, where all who live in it have the opportunity to succeed, irrespective of their race, culture, background and or financial situation,” she said.

The party’s goal, she explained, is a country with more jobs, a stronger economy, less corruption, better public services and equal opportunities for everyone – where people can live safely, work hard and build a better future for themselves and their families.

Asked what proves the DA can govern South Africa effectively, James pointed to the Western Cape and DA-led municipalities such as Midvaal, as well as the party’s experience in KwaZulu-Natal. “Our record shows that responsible financial management, accountability and good planning can make a real difference in people’s lives,” she said.

James added that the DA’s experience in government demonstrates how clean audits and responsible management can support efforts to grow the economy, create jobs and improve education.

She also acknowledged that not every DA-led municipality performs perfectly, but argued that the party’s experience provides a strong foundation. “The DA’s approach is guided by its constitution and values, which promote accountability, transparency, equal opportunities and respect for the rule of law.”

Its focus, James said, is on creating jobs, improving service delivery, fighting corruption and ensuring that public money is spent where it benefits the people.

On job creation, particularly for young people, Joubert explained that local government’s role is to create an environment in which businesses can invest, grow and employ more people. “The job of a local government is not to create jobs; it’s the function of local government to provide basic services in an efficient, cost-effective, transparent and accountable manner, which in any case creates jobs within the municipality,” he said.

Joubert argued that if a city has reliable electricity and water, functional roads and effective by-law enforcement, the private sector will be more willing to invest – and that investment creates jobs.

For Polokwane, he explained that means confronting the state of the road network, where approximately 80% is reportedly past its useful economic lifespan. “We need to properly address this crisis and not spend funds on projects like the Softball Stadium, which does not make sense under the current service delivery backlog. The DA’s position is that essential infrastructure and basic services must be prioritised,” Joubert said.

He added that Polokwane is ideally situated geographically to become the economic hub for the north of the country – a manufacturing and export hub into the rest of Africa.

Joubert explained that the DA’s plan to fix crime, load shedding and failing infrastructure, is centred on better management, accountability, fighting corruption and encouraging private investment, including a more competitive market for energy supply.

He added that on crime, the party proposes more effective policing, stronger investigations and tougher action against corruption, including within the SAPS itself. “We believe that the police service needs to regain public trust by acting against criminal elements within its ranks and adopting a no-nonsense approach against all crime,” Joubert said.

On energy, he explained that the DA wants to restructure Eskom, expand private electricity generation and invest in solar, wind and the power grid. “On infrastructure, the focus is on returning to basics: repairing leaking pipes, upgrading wastewater systems, fixing potholes and prioritising regular maintenance. Across government, the DA advocates for qualified officials, transparent tenders and consequences for poor performance,” Joubert said.

Lourens addressed the DA’s approach to corruption and municipal service delivery, both in municipalities where the party governs and in those where it does not yet hold office. “The DA believes that effective oversight, transparent procurement, responsible financial management and accountability are essential to ensuring that public funds benefit communities,” Lourens said.

He added that where the party governs, it seeks to improve administrative performance and ensure that municipal spending is directed towards residents’ needs. “Where we serve in opposition, we use our oversight role to question decisions, expose irregularities and hold those in power accountable,” he said.

Lourens emphasised that municipalities must focus on delivering reliable water and electricity, maintaining roads, managing waste and ensuring that residents receive the basic services they pay for.

He explained that the DA believes that residents deserve a government that is accountable to the public and measures its success by the difference it makes in people’s daily lives.

Addressing the question of why South Africans should vote for the DA instead of other opposition parties, Lourens expressed that the party’s approach is guided by accountability, transparency, equal opportunities and respect for the rule of law. “The DA believes its experience in government and its focus on responsible financial management offer voters an alternative centred on practical solutions, improved service delivery and economic growth,” Lourens said.

Mocke highlighted the DA’s commitment to ensuring that every South African has access to quality education and healthcare, regardless of where they live or how much they earn.

She explained that the party’s plan includes improving school infrastructure, supporting teachers, strengthening clinics and hospitals, and ensuring that resources reach rural and disadvantaged communities. “Your postcode or your income should never determine the quality of education or healthcare you receive,” Mocke said.

Its approach, Mocke explained, is to put people first, appoint qualified professionals, stop corruption and hold those responsible accountable.

Seabi addressed the perception, often amplified on social media, that the DA is ‘a party for the privileged and does not care about black and coloured voters’. “The DA does not govern for a selected few only; it seeks to serve all South Africans. The DA is the most diverse party in South Africa, and it shows in our membership compared to other political parties,” Seabi said.

He referred to a 2022 SRF poll, which showed that the DA’s membership consists of approximately one-third black members, one-third coloured members and one-third white members, compared with 99% black membership for the EFF and 84% white membership for the FF+.

“The DA maintains that its policies are designed to benefit all citizens based on need rather than any particular racial or demographic group. Its focus is on improving service delivery, creating jobs, growing the economy and expanding opportunity for every South African, regardless of race, background or where they live,” Seabi said.

He also addressed the DA’s stance on land reform, BEE and social grants, emphasising the party’s position that social assistance would continue under a DA-led government. “Grants are a Constitutional right and not a favour from the government. So, a DA-led Government will continue and make the grants better,” Seabi explained.

He added that the DA proposes extending child support grants until children complete their matric examinations. “It also proposes extending support to pregnant mothers to help ensure that unborn children have better access to nutritional foods,” Seabi explained.

Seabi further explained that the party would also assist beneficiaries by scrapping VAT on essential foods and other basic necessities, including milk and bread, and to add a wider range of nutritious items to make it more affordable and help families meet their nutritional needs.

Adding to the members’ comments, Mocke further emphasised the DA’s approach to fighting crime and corruption, summarising it in three words: “Catch. Convict. Clean up.”

She further emphasised that those who steal public money must face the consequences, while qualified people must be appointed based on their ability and competence rather than political connections. “The DA believes that corruption undermines service delivery, weakens public trust and diverts resources away from the communities that need them most,” Mocke said.

In closing, Mocke had a message for young and first-time voters who feel disillusioned with politics and have lost hope in the country’s future. “My message to young South Africans is simple: do not give up on your future or on South Africa. Your frustration is understandable, but your voice and your vote matter.”

Mocke expressed that the DA believes in a South Africa where hard work is rewarded, opportunities are created, corruption is tackled, and every young person has a fair chance to succeed, regardless of their background. “Do not surrender your future to failed promises. Get involved, hold your leaders accountable, and use your vote to help shape the South Africa you want to live in,” Mocke urged.

“A vote for the DA can build this future for you. Together, we can rescue our city Polokwane and South Africa and build a safer, fairer country with opportunities for everyone.”

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