The Rep

DA wants to govern - Trollip

- By Zolile Menzelwa

THE DA wanted South Africans to have an economy that created wealth and stimulated people to be independen­t via prosperity and a proper education system.

DA federal chairman Athol Trollip, speaking during a fund raiser said South Africa had spent more money on education than any developing country, but the outcomes remained poor.

The DA was happy with unions as long as they did not disrupt the education system or the quality thereof.

“Crime in this country is too violent and crime against women and children is unacceptab­le, but the government just sits with folded arms. We have to do something fundamenta­l and start by breaking the chain of patriarchy.”

Trollip said corruption was ‘nauseating’ and the Nkandla issue was an albatross, not only around Zuma’s neck but that of the ANC as well. The DA would fight corruption wherever it was found. “We are a party of opportunit­y for all so broad based black economic empowermen­t (BBBEE) policies that are exclusive are unacceptab­le.We will embrace policies that are inclusive. We believe in a government that can create an environmen­t where businesses can flourish,” he said.

The DA believed people should get jobs and get ahead, educate their children, ensure they were healthy and where children and women could live safely. “Service delivery will happen and taxpayers will pay as they can see where their taxes go. Now you pay, but you do not see where it goes,” he said.

The DA had decided not to talk about the things that separated South Africans but focus on ‘bread and butter issues’.

“Black parents want the best for their children just like white parents. We might come from different background­s and have different perspectiv­es but we all have the same hopes and aspiration­s based on values,” he said.

South Africans wanted a normal society - post apartheid and post ANC. Nationalis­t organisati­ons did not bring people together but were exclusive, divisive and discrimina­tory and South Africa was too diverse to be led by a nationalis­t party (African Natio- nal Congress). People needed to be united around common values, not ideology, philosophy or race.

“Our party is based on freedom, fairness and opportunit­y. Our vision 2029 is what South Africa could be under DA leadership,” he said.

Of Mmusi Maimane he said, “He has self-belief and confidence.”

Speaking in English, Xhosa and Afrikaans, Trollip said the DA had grown from 12 to 23% in eight years. “We are serious about becoming the government of this country. The government has systematic­ally ruined the country in the last 21 years.”

Trollip said Zuma still had over 700 charges hanging over him and he was a ‘compromise­d man’. Chapter nine institutio­ns had been destroyed in pursuit of protecting himself.

 ?? Picture: ZOLILE MENZELWA ?? PARTY GOLF: At the recent DA event were, from left, national chairman Athol Trollip and regional chairman Pieter Greyling
Picture: ZOLILE MENZELWA PARTY GOLF: At the recent DA event were, from left, national chairman Athol Trollip and regional chairman Pieter Greyling

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