Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille says her party is ready to govern South Africa. She was addressing delegates at the party’s Federal Congress taking place on Gauteng’s East Rand to elect the DA’s new leadership. Zille says too many people are losing hope for the future, particularly, those who still have no access to quality education, jobs, homes and opportunities to build a better life. DA, the country’s official opposition, is meeting over this weekend to elect new leaders. Zille is standing unopposed so her place at the top is guaranteed. Up for grabs are three positions for deputy chairperson of the federal council and the current federal chair Wilmot James is being challenged. Zille’s speech focused on challenges facing the current government. “Freedom means little if you cannot find a job. Freedom means even less if our children have no textbooks. Freedom means nothing if it gives politicians license to steal people’s money. Freedom loses its value if people live in constant fear of criminals in their homes and on the streets,” says Zille. The DA says it will elect people who will work to take the nation forward. The party says those who lose in the elections will still rally behind the new leaders. DA national spokesperson, Mmusi Maimane says: “There isn’t a sense of purging. We have had deputies being contested in the past and today they stand and work side by side. We are going to have another contest here today as we are having, but i think after that will get away with a sense of united leadership behind the party.” Maimane has also proposed setting up corruption busting units in all DA caucuses across the country. This is one of the 18 of the 39 resolutions that are up for discussion at the DA Federal Congress currently underway in Boksburg. Reports indicate that South Africa is loosing a billion rand to corruption annually. Maimane says the units will end corruption at municipal level. Presenting her government’s service delivery record in government at the DA’s 5th Federal Congress, Cape Town Mayor Patricia De Lille says her city has become a home of opportunities for all South Africans, especially, young people. Other speakers included party Parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko and Midavaal Mayor Timothy Nast among others.
The new leadership will be announced after tomorrow’s elections.
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