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The following speech was delivered by Geordin Hill-Lewis, Leader of the Democratic Alliance, at the fifth stop of the “Working For All Tour” in Johannesburg.
Sanibonani, Johannesburg!
Good afternoon, Joburg!
It is wonderful to be back in this great city.
And thank you to every person who has come here today because you care about the future of Johannesburg.
I love the energy of this campaign. You are showing the nation something very powerful – that we do not have to accept the failure we see around us.
We can fix it.
This city can be better than it is.
People are coming together around this simply and powerful idea that we can get Jozi working for all.
I love our campaign because it is built on this simple, but powerful pledge – we, the DA, will get your city working for everyone.
Not fancy political philosophies or pie in the sky promises.
Just hard work, done by ethical people, in service of everyone.
From every corner of this great city, ordinary residents are getting behind us.
Many of not voted for us before but are doing it for the first time.
To them we say, we will not disappoint you. With your support, you will see what integrity looks like in government, and what a working city feels like.
And when basic things start working, something important will happen.
Businesses invest again.
People get into work. Opportunity is spread.
Families stop having to spend their own money replacing the services they already pay the municipality to provide. They have more in their own pocket.
Hope returns.
Johannesburg desperately needs that hope again.
And Gogo Helen believes in Joburg!
Because this is one of the great cities of Africa. It is the economic heart of our country. It has extraordinary people, huge businesses, small entrepreneurs, universities, communities and neighbourhoods full of energy.
Johannesburg does not lack potential.
But this city lacks a government that can live up to that potential.
The numbers tell the story. Johannesburg Water loses nearly half of the water it buys, while City Power loses around a third of its bulk electricity purchases. The City’s financial position has become serious enough that even the ANC in national government is concerned about the ANC led Joburg government.
And residents know what those failures mean in real life.
When government fails, you pay twice.
You pay the municipal account, and then you buy a water tank.
You pay for electricity, and then you buy an inverter.
You pay rates and taxes, and then you replace the tyre damaged by a pothole.
That is not normal.
And it should not be accepted as normal.
Helen’s campaign has deliberately focused on the basics. Reliable water and electricity, roads that work, clean and professional government, safer public spaces, and a City administration that respects residents’ money.
Her five pledges are practical because Johannesburg’s problems are practical.
You cannot fix this City with another slogan. This city has had enough empty slogans from the ANC, Action SA, the EFF and the PA.
The DA will fix this city by stopping the stealing and wasting of money.
We will protect water and electricity revenue for infrastructure.
We will appoint competent professionals.
We will fix potholes and traffic lights.
And the DA will end the political instability that has plagued this city.
Johannesburg has spent years trapped in unstable coalition politics, where governments and alliances change and smaller parties can acquire influence far beyond the number of voters they represent.
Helen has been very clear about the conclusion she draws from that experience.
She is campaigning for an outright DA majority because she believes Johannesburg needs a government that can pass a budget, appoint capable people, take difficult decisions and then be held directly accountable for the results, without constantly bargaining for political survival.
There is a real competition for the future of this City.
But you can decide who wins that competition by turning up on election day and getting Helen into office.
I have spent a lot of time here in Johannesburg on the ground campaigning with Helen. I can feel the momentum building. I can see people are choosing to give the DA a chance.
They are looking at what works and what does not.
And the DA has a record of delivering results.
The city I’m privileged to lead has invested R32 billion inbasic infrastructure over the last three years, more than any other metro in South Africa. In fact, more than most other metros combined.
This infrastructure is bigger and better pipes in the poorest communities, so that we can roll out better services to more people. It’s new public transport. It’s better energy grids.
It is things that every resident can actually see and feel. And it is the standards people expect from the DA. We welcome being held to that standard.
But in that same three year period, Joburg budgeted R24 billion in infrastructure, but only spent R8 billion. R32 billion in basic infrastructure where the DA governs, versus R8 billion here.
That is the difference. That is why one place works, and the other doesn’t.
But despite all of its troubles, I remain so optimistic about Johannesburg. This is a wonderful city.
Everything that is broken can be fixed.
Corruption can be investigated and punished.
Professional people can be put back in charge of professional institutions.
Johannesburg can work.
But only if the right leaders, with the right spirit of service, are elected to fix it.
I know Soweto can work.
Alexandra can work.
Roodepoort can work.
Midrand can work.
Lenasia can work.
Every community in this great city deserves government that works.
And when Johannesburg works, South Africa works.