• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
No Result
View All Result
1
Home Features 2014 General Elections Political Parties

Democratic Alliance (DA)

3 March 2014, 2:55 PM  |
News Publisher News Publisher |  @SABCNews
The DA increased its share of the vote from 1.7% in 1994 to about 10% in 1999 (as the former DP), 12.4% in 2004 and 16.6% in 2009. Picture:SABC

The DA increased its share of the vote from 1.7% in 1994 to about 10% in 1999 (as the former DP), 12.4% in 2004 and 16.6% in 2009. Picture:SABC

The DA increased its share of the vote from 1.7% in 1994 to about 10% in 1999 (as the former DP), 12.4% in 2004 and 16.6% in 2009. Picture:SABC

South Africa’s official opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, formerly known as the Democratic Party (DP), espouses liberal democracy and free market principles.

The party’s forerunner was the Progressive Federal Party (PFP), whose veteran politician Helen Suzman was its only representative in the white Parliament for many years. Suzman upheld liberal policies in the apartheid-era legislature and spoke out against apartheid laws.

In the 1980s the party increased its Parliamentary seats to seven. Among the new MPs was Tony Leon, who became DP leader in 1996, introducing a more aggressive approach to opposition politics.

In 2000 the DP joined forces with the New Nationalist Party to form the Democratic Alliance (DA). But the NNP withdrew from the pact in late 2001, and was disbanded in 2004. Leon resigned as party head in 2007, to be replaced by Helen Zille, who is also the premier of the Western Cape.

Its leader in parliament is Lindiwe Mazibuko, who leads a parliamentary caucus of 77 members (67 in the National Assembly and 10 in the National Council of Provinces)

The DA increased its share of the vote from 1.7% in 1994 to about 10% in 1999 (as the former DP), 12.4% in 2004 and 16.6% in 2009.

Hardly a week after Agang SA leader Mamphele Ramphela agreed to stand as the DA’s Presidential Candidate in the 2014 general elections, the much-publicised marriage came down crumbling

Hardly a week after Agang SA leader Mamphele Ramphela agreed to stand as the DA’s Presidential Candidate in the 2014 general elections, the much-publicised marriage came down crumbling. This after Ramphele’s sudden u-turn on an earlier decision to become the DA’s Presidential Candidate in the upcoming elections. She refused to accept the party’s membership, which was a prerequisite if she were to represent the party in parliament.

Zille said the Ramphele’s move was well-calculated, but as it turned out, it didn’t work out. Ramphele’s decision to renege on the agreement was described by Zille as a demonstration that Ramphele could not be trusted to see any project to its conclusion.

Zille says she stated to Ramphele that it is political nonsense for one party leader to become the other’s presidential candidate.

2014 election manifesto

The DA’s Manifesto is aimed at job creation. According to party leader Helen Zille this can only be done by cutting corruption.

The DA will incentivise job creation, dramatically broaden the skills base, drive down high prices that hamper growth and make South Africa an attractive environment for businesses to invest and grow.

The DA will break up inefficient state monopolies, and distribute shares to ordinary citizens, to increase competition and bring down prices.

DA prioritising education and training to equip school leavers and young people to compete in a growing economy. To ensure that children matriculate with the skills they need to succeed, they will focus on training more teachers and ensure that school environments are conducive to learning.

The DA vows to bring about change to South Africa and address pressing issues in society. As government the DA will:

• Save R30 billion per year by cutting corruption and firing corrupt officials.
• Speed up the delivery of housing and basic services through clean and efficient government.
• Introduce a constituency-based electoral system to make MPs more accountable.
• Make communities safer by putting 250 000 properly trained police officers on the streets.
• Fight gangsterism and drugs by re-instating the Narcotics Bureau and building more rehabilitation centres.
• Work with the private sector to provide quality, affordable health care for all.
• Ensure that the social grants system is a means to lift people out of poverty.
• Dedicate an extra R10 billion to speed up land reform and provide training and support for emerging.
Job creation is an integral part of the DA campaign. Through an economy that grows at 8% to create 6 million real jobs. They vow to:
• Provide quality education by training 15 000 more teachers per year and giving every child a textbook for every subject.
• Increase the NSFAS budget to R16 billion so that no student is denied further education because they cannot afford it.
• Create one million internships to give work experience to young job seekers.
• Provide seven million Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) opportunities to alleviate poverty and provide a step-up for job seekers.
• Make South Africa a nation of entrepreneurs by cutting red tape and providing more support and training for small business.
• Improve black economic empowerment so that it rewards companies that invest in their workers and create jobs.
• Break up inefficient state monopolies, and distribute shares to ordinary citizens, to increase competition and bring down prices.
• Invest at least 10% of GDP in the roads, ports, railways, airways, water and communication infrastructure that the economy needs to grow.

http://www.da.org.za/

DA National, Provincial and Regional Lists:

– By Southafrica.info

Share article
Previous Post

“Not enough is done to prevent intimate femicide”

Next Post

Oscar Pistorius Trial: Tuesday, March 4 2014

Related Posts

Wegovy weight-loss injection factory plagued by sterile-safety failures

27 July 2023, 8:04 AM

VIDEO| President Ramaphosa unveils Mandela statues in Eastern Cape

18 July 2023, 1:10 PM
A statue representing former statesman Nelson Mandela

Mandela strived for peace in the world: Ramaphosa

18 July 2023, 10:03 AM
[File Image] Food parcels for families that received free school meal vouchers rest on a tray before being delivered.

Phoenix Crisis Centre feeds community as part of Mandela Day celebrations

18 July 2023, 9:35 AM
A statue of former President Nelson Mandela

President Ramaphosa to unveil two Mandela statues in Eastern Cape

18 July 2023, 7:00 AM
Former South Africa president Nelson Mandela.

SA celebrates Mandela Day, residents in Ga-Mothapo, Ga-Modjadji praise Madiba’s legacy

18 July 2023, 6:30 AM
Next Post
Oscar Pistorius Trial: Tuesday 4 March 2014 Picture:SABC

Oscar Pistorius Trial: Tuesday, March 4 2014

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Concern over exclusion of foreign nationals from Road Accident Fund
  • Cashless taxi service launched in Cape Town
  • Visitors planning to visit the Overberg region urged to postpone their trips
  • ANC building up in flames in Port St Johns
  • Western Cape on high alert following severe storm warning
  • High waves and rough water conditions force beach closures in the Western Cape
  • Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi to rest in the town he built and nurtured
  • NSPCA files criminal case against Julius Malema for alleged animal cruelty
  • Snow, heavy rainfall expected in parts of KZN: SAWS
  • Cold-front sweeps across SA bringing snow and chilly temperatures
  • Several roads closed in the Western Cape amid flooding
  • Zoleka Mandela passes away
  • Residents resort to illegal water connections at Mpumalanga village
  • Six beaches in Durban flagged with high levels of E.coli
  • PODCAST | Consumers warned of expected poultry price hike

LATEST

Logo of the 9th BRICS Parliamentary Forum ahead of a media briefing in this image captured on 26 September 2023.
  • Politics

BRICS Parliamentary Forum Assembly aims to foster stronger ties among member states


Inside a Magistrates' Court
  • South Africa

Trial of nine accused in university of Fort Hare murder case resumes


  • South Africa

Eskom to prioritise electricity restoration in flood-ravaged Western and Eastern Cape


Flooding in the Western Cape following heavy rains.
  • South Africa

Rescue efforts to resume on Wednesday for learners trapped at Oudtshoorn resort


The NMB metro
  • Politics

DA wants special inquiry into state capture in Nelson Mandela Bay


Actress Viola Davis at an event
  • Africa

Actress Viola Davis to join US African diaspora council


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2023

Previous “Not enough is done to prevent intimate femicide”
Next Oscar Pistorius Trial: Tuesday, March 4 2014