This is your city. On the 18th of May YOU can take it.
That is what democracy is about, that is how it is made to work for ordinary people.
Change will not be achieved by voting for the same underperforming government over and over, somehow expecting a different result.
Change will not be achieved by taking to the streets in protest.
And change will certainly not be achieved by sitting at home on election day, doing nothing about the problems which afflict your community.
It is only at the ballot box that people have the power to take back government from ineffective and poor leaders.
It is only by making the change and voting for a new government that people will ensure clean, effective administration and service delivery for all.
We have seen it in Cape Town. We have seen it in Midvaal. And we can see it in the Tshwane Metro.
Nognooit was die kans op ‘n nuwe regering in hierdie stad so goed nie.
In die laaste plaaslike regeringsverkiesing in 2006 was daar slegs ‘n 7%-verskil tussen steun vir die opposisie en steun vir die huidige regerende party.
In 2009 our support almost doubled at the polls. We as a party know how and we will bring our voters to the ballot box on the 18th.
Kiesers wat nognooit van te vore daaraan gedink het om DA te stem nie, oorweeg dit nou.
Die oë van die ganse land sal gevestig wees op die tweestryd in ons stad. Our existing and our new supporters will be the new majority in this election.
Never has the need for a new city government in the Tshwane Metro been so pressing.
After 18 May we will be the third largest geographic city in the world, after New York and Tokyo, making the demand for clean, effective, responsive government all the more important.
We can no longer afford to squander our finances, to neglect our infrastructure, to delay the extension of basic services to all.
We need our Metro Police to be trained and equipped and on the beat in every ward of the city.
We need our public transport to be affordable and accessible, and our road network to reach ever corner of our city.
The price of apathy in this election will be too high.
The DA has delivered in Cape Town and Midvaal, and the DA can deliver in Tshwane.
If the same principles are applied here, the same successes can be achieved here.
But we are determined not to make this election campaign one of words but one of issues and we are ready to talk to voters in every corner of the city.
Ons is gereed om die argument te wen oor welke beleid die beste omstandighede gaan skep vir al ons inwoners.
Today we launch our ten-point plan to change the Tshwane Metro for the good together with our local manifesto.
Die DA is nie gewoon net ‘n party van opposisie nie, maar een met ‘n rekord in regering en ‘n agenda vir die toekoms.
These priorities do not encompass the full DA policy for the Tshwane Metro, but merely the first moves; the essentials which need to be achieved first.
Oor die volgende paar weke gaan die DA meer omvattende beleidsvoorstelle bekendsstel oor ons vyf sleutelpriortiteite wat almal daarop gerig is om die plaaslike ekonomie te groei, werk te skep en armoede te beveg.
As ever our agenda is based on the vision of an Open Opportunity Society for All, which is not merely an abstraction but a set of principles which will inform our every move in government: every rand we spend, every project we undertake and every official we employ.
Our ten focus points are not rocket science, they are just basic principles which have been tried and tested. The 10 points which will improve the lives of our residents quickly.
1. A DA government will drastically reduce crime.
We will make sure the Metro Police is visible; that officers are well trained and adequately equipped; and that we focus resources and action on areas were crime is particularly high.
2. A DA government will create a transparent and corruption-free administration.
Meetings of councils and the Executive Mayoral Committee will be open to the public, as will tender adjudication meetings. Important documentation will be readily accessible.
3. A DA government will appoint councillors and officials who are fit for purpose.
DA councillors and I as mayor will sign a charter committing us to the needed standard of service to the city. If we don’t do our jobs, if I don’t do mine, we will be booted. Officials will be appointed and promoted based on their ability and performance, and all systems of political reward on tax payers’ account will be abolished.
4. A DA government will improve customer service.
One stop-centres dealing with all municipal services and functions will be opened across the city, and they will be staffed by well-trained and equipped officials. Officials will be allowed to do their jobs without political interference.
5. A DA government will get our finances in order.
Bills will be correct. Debts will be collected. And every rand will be spent wisely on delivering effective services to all residents.
6. A DA government will care for the poor.
Rebates will continue to be given to those most in need. An indigent policy will be effectively implemented and persons quickly registered on application. Basic services like water, sanitation and refuse removal will be delivered.
7. A DA government will encourage energy saving and “green” practices.
Recycling opportunities will be offered. Energy saving methods employed. And incentives offered to install energy saving devices.
8. A DA government will introduce a new system of public participation.
More effective partnerships will be established by citizens and the municipality. More inputs and buy-ins will be sought from residents. Customer satisfaction will be increased.
9. A DA government will build new infrastructure and make sure existing infrastructure is maintained.
Works to provide basic services will be installed. The road network will be extended to every part of the city. Potholes will be fixed within 48 hours and faulty street and traffic lights within 24 hours. Staff operating the Customer Care Hotline will be increased from under 50 to 200.
10. A DA government will not let services be interrupted.
Effective plans will be put in place to ensure that services are not cut off, regardless of any form of protest taking place in the city.
Those are our 10 large improvement points which we will focus on. More detail will be shared weekly as we proceed in this campaign.
We look forward to fighting this election on the issues.
We can win. We can solve the problems afflicting the Tshwane Metro, and make this city unrecognisably clean, safe, and corruption-free.
We can turn our city into an engine of growth and service delivery for all. En ons kan mense se lewens verbeter, hulle trots maak om in hierdie stad te bly.
Pretoria is our capital and it must be an example for our country. We say to voters, from Centurion to Hammanskraal, from Bronkhorstsprui to Attridgeville, from Eersterus to Laudium: do not miss the chance on 18 May. We can win. This city is yours. Take it!
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