TOGETHER WE CAN RESCUE KZN – DA
UMngeni Mayor and DA KZN Premier candidate Chris Pappas rallied supporters last Saturday at a packed Curries Fountain Stadium ahead of the upcoming elections, calling on the people of KZN to join their rescue mission to save the province by voting for the blue party.
Speaking to a crowd of fervent followers at the Democratic Alliance’s Rescue SA Rally in KZN, Pappas underscored the urgency for change and the power of the people’s votes.
Pappas recounted a recent visit to Northdale couple, Kovilan and Velliamah Govender, who tragically lost their son, Johnathan, after a four-hour wait for an ambulance.
Velliamah, choking back tears, conveyed to Pappas the devastating toll of losing her son to a heart attack, a fate she believes could have been averted if medical assistance arrived earlier.
Moved by the Govender’s plight, Pappas vowed to slash waiting times for vital services, including ambulances, hospitals, and clinics by half, if elected.
Pappas, who has been criss-crossing the province as part of the DA’S election campaign, assured supporters of his commitment to addressing pressing issues such as unemployment, water shortages, and healthcare accessibility.
“I want to promise that I will ensure that there are 300 000 real jobs and not piece jobs. I want to promise that the exception of only 18 to 35 years old will have access to jobs will be removed,” Pappas declared, outlining his vision for a more inclusive job market.
Promising support for small businesses and an end to load shedding, Pappas reiterated his pledge to tackle systemic challenges facing the province.
His promises extended to establishing a provincial police service and anti-fraud and anti-corruption units, responding directly to the concerns of residents grappling with crime and governance issues.
Pappas’s commitment to addressing the basic needs of KZN residents was further underscored during his interactions with locals, including an elderly resident in Trenance Park, Durban, and a farmer struggling with water access for his crops.
Pappas assured residents that he would work tirelessly to ensure equitable access to essential services like water and security.
In a pointed plea to voters, Pappas cautioned against supporting new parties, urging unity behind the DA as the most viable vehicle for change.
Echoing Pappas’s sentiments, DA Party Leader John Steenhuisen emphasised the pivotal role of KZN in driving meaningful change.
“It breaks my heart when I sit with mothers who tell me that they don’t have food to put on the table,” Steenhuisen said.