As South Africa prepares for its general election in May, the country’s main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has kicked off its campaign with the launch of a manifesto targeted at ending corruption and providing more employment opportunities.
The DA party, which controls municipalities in the country’s capital of Pretoria and main business hub, Johannesburg, has begun its fight to bring an end to the ruling African National Congress’s 25 years in power.
Addressing a crowd of supporters in Johannesburg, DA leader, Mmusi Maimane, said: “The South Africa I want to build will have no place for corruption and corrupt politicians. Our [current] leaders realized they could make money out of every job, out of every contract, it meant a better life for some… and they forgot about the rest of us.”
“While too many of our people didn’t have water, some were drinking the finest champagne,” he added.
One of the radical tools Maimane hopes to utilize to curb corruption includes increased jail time for leaders guilty of corruption, to which he said: “If you are corrupt, you can expect to spend 15 years in jail,” vowing to set up a new anti-corruption unit.
The DA candidate also pledged to create new jobs through the introduction of tax incentives, which will encourage new businesses, maximise several sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and tourism to increase opportunities in the nation.
“If we can put a job in every home we can transform our society,” he said.
ANC Gains Momentum Ahead of Polls
Since coming into power with the late Nelson Mandela and sweeping all parliamentary seats in 1994, the ANC has remained the strongest party in South Africa.
However, recent events surrounding former President Jacob Zuma, who was removed last year after years of corruption allegations, weakened its standing with the South African people.
With replacement, President Cyril Ramaphosa, the party has managed to regain some of its support and has picked up momentum heading into the elections this year, as Ramaphosa leads the charge to boost the South African economy and pull the country out of recession.
