In April, South Africans went to the poll to vote in the local elections, where we voted in the people and the parties that work for us at community level. Local elections are about service delivery in your neighbourhood and your community. The DA did very well in this election because , as we proved in the City of Cape Town, the municipality of Midvaal and the Western Cape province, the DA is about delivery.
The DA has demonstrated that where it governs efficiency, integrity and unqualified equality are what the DA are all about and this is what appeals to voters of all races who want more jobs, reliable services, better education , better health facilities and an end to corruption. And this demonstration of good governance has lead to a successful local election for the DA.
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Here are some quick election facts:
1. Not only did the Democratic Alliance increase its share of the vote from 16% in 2006 to more than 24%, it could end up controlling 27 cities and towns – including Cape Town, Paarl and George – through coalition deals.
2. Among black voters its share has increased from 1% to 5%, which means that about 20% of its support base is black, making it the most diverse party in the country.
3. In Cape Town the party’s share of the vote increased from 42% to 63% and in Pretoria it got 40% of the vote and in Johannesburg just under 40%. In fact, every ward contested showed an increase in party support. It won 133 wards from the ANC.
4. DA leader, Helen Zille, says that wherever it governs the DA will enforce performance contracts with its mayors and assess the performance of councillors regularly.
Click here for a full analysis of the 2011 local election results.
If the DA continues to grow as it has done after each succeeding election, it could be a serious challenge to the dominance of the ruling African National Congress as early as the 2014 general election. The DA will continue to work hard at good governance and for an open opportunity society for all.
We here at the DA Abroad are also gearing up for the 2014 election already with our Right-to-Vote campaign. We want to make sure that every South African who lives abroad have the ability to register to vote whilst overseas as well as vote in the most practically convenient way. It is our constitutional right and our citizen-duty, and we are not going to let red tape or excuses stand in our way. The South African government and Independent Electoral Commission have three years to get their process in order, and the DA Abroad will be on their cases!
We all can make a difference and contribute to South Africa’s future, no matter where we are in the world, be it thought simply voting, donating time or money, or simply staying informed. Keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter pages for campaigns and events near you.
Ludre Stevens
DA Abroad Chief Executive Officer