DA manifesto launch: Steenhuisen outlines key priorities, tears into ANC, slams 'Tintswalo' narrative
DA leader John Steenhuisen took to the podium to deliver the party’s election manifesto on Saturday, addressing thousands of supporters on the lawns of the Union Buildings.
DA leader John Steenhuisen delivered the key address at the launch of the party's election manifesto in Pretoria on 17 February 2024. Picture: X/Our_DA
JOHANNESBURG - Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has accused the African National Congress (ANC)-led government of turning the Union Buildings into a crime scene where the dreams of millions of South Africans have been betrayed.
Steenhuisen took to the podium to deliver the party’s election manifesto on Saturday, addressing thousands of supporters on the lawns of the Union Buildings.
He said the party’s manifesto launch in the capital was to show that it is ready to take over.
"The DA is launching our 2024 manifesto from the Union Buildings because we today [Saturday] are sending a clear message that we are in it to win it.”
Steenhuisen also expressed confidence in the Multi-Party Charter unseating the governing ANC come elections.
"This past week in Parliament, they told us that the moonshot pact is their biggest fear. They were so obsessed by the moonshot pact," Steenhuisen said, adding that they have a track record and a plan to rescue South Africa "before it’s too late."
READ: DA rubbishes claims of free fall, maintains it's closing in on the ANC
The DA leader outlined the DA’s seven key priorities - which form part of its rescue plan for South Africa.
“One, create two million new jobs; two - end load shedding and water shedding; three - halve the rate of violent crime, including murder, attempted murder, and gender-based violence; four - crush corruption by abolishing cadre deployment in favour of merit-based appointments and a capable state that delivers for all; five - lift six million people out of poverty; six - triple the number of Grade four learners who can read for meaning; and seven - ensure quality healthcare for all, irrespective of economic status.
The DA leader again slammed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s success story of Tintswalo during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday.
Ramaphosa depicted a narrative of a child named Tintswalo, born in 1994 and illustrated her upbringing with access to essential services provided by the government - like water, electricity, education, and healthcare.
READ: Ramaphosa's 'Tintswalo' SONA story draws mixed reactions from South Africans
"The cold hard truth is that young people in this country do not succeed because of the ANC, they succeed in spite of the ANC.