Statement by Geordin Hill-Lewis – Leader of the Democratic Alliance:
Today I joined newly elected DA councillor Maki Tshabalala, DA mayoral candidates Kingsol Chabalala and Peter Teixeira, activists and residents in Ward 28, Evaton, to celebrate a historic DA by-election victory and to support practical service delivery work by the Democratic Alliance underway in the community.
Earlier today, DA teams helped clear illegal dumping in Evaton. This is what residents voted for: not more promises, but visible action. Not speeches alone, but a councillor and a party that show up and get things done.
The DA’s victory in Emfuleni earlier in June, and our strong by-election win in Rustenburg this week, shows that the DA can go into any community, earn trust, and win. We are building a party for every South African — in townships, suburbs, villages and cities — who wants safer streets, cleaner communities, better services, jobs and dignity.
The DA is the only party in SA that can win in any and every demographic community. We are the most diverse party in the country – a party that is truly for all South Africans.
For too long, communities like Evaton have been failed by governments that arrive at election time and disappear afterwards and they continue to loot the municipality for their own personal gain.
The DA is building a different kind of politics: present, practical, honest and accountable. We are building to govern in many more municipalities to show the DA difference. And we are building towards a DA-led national government in 2029 that can bring this same approach to South Africa.
We are building the biggest party in South Africa so that we can build a country that works. Emfuleni has shown what is possible. South Africa can work — for everyone.
Curio
One day we will all be writing like this.
german coach
Van der Merwe is approached by SANRAL one day who want to build a new highway through his donkey farm. Van is really concerned with how his donkeys can get from one side of the farm to the other without having to cross the highway and risk being injured or killed. He is promised that they will build bridges the highway so that his donkeys can cross under the highway. Van agrees and gives them the go-ahead.
The highway is built and a year later the same rep goes to the farm to go see how Van and his donkeys are. He eventually finds Van under one of these bridges chipping away at the roof of the tunnel with a hammer and chisel.
\”Mnr Van de Merwe, what are you doing damaging the highway bridge?\”