"We can make a great city even greater"

I am honoured to have been nominated yesterday evening as the Democratic Alliance's candidate for the Mayor of Cape Town. Cape Town is my home. My parents lived in this city, I have lived here since the 1960s, and I began my political career in the resistance movement on the Cape flats.

Over the next two months, I will be campaigning across this city, meeting as many Capetonians as I possibly can, hearing their stories and discussing ways that we can improve their lives.

The Democratic Alliance has proved in Cape Town that we deliver for all the people. We have established an open and transparent tender process. We have become the best city in South Africa for basic service delivery, ensuring 100% access to running water, 98% access to refuse removal, 95% access to electricity and 94% access to sanitation. We've reduced crime through the efforts of the Metro Police, doubled housing delivery, and delivered more infrastructure than ever before.

But as I prepare to run for Mayor, I know that with your support, we can build on the strong foundation we have laid over the past 5 years and give Cape Town a great future. We can move forward the only way we truly can: together, as one city, with one future.

Because no matter how beautiful this city is naturally, its greatest strength still is, and always will be, its people.

I know that with the people of Cape Town, we can make a great city even greater. Under the leadership of the Democratic Alliance, things are getting better in Cape Town step by step, and with Cape Town's support, we can continue to deliver a better life for all, step by step.

I am also very aware that there are many challenges that we need to work harder than ever on - we must create jobs and unlock opportunities for more people. We must make our neighbourhoods safer, and fight to rid our communities of drugs and substance abuse. We must build a more caring city that delivers basic services, housing and primary health care to those most in need.

Over the next few weeks I will present my vision for how we can take Cape Town forward. But to take Cape Town forward, every community needs to participate - this city belongs to all of us, and every person has a role to play in building our future.

In the months ahead, I look forward to earning your support. Leading Cape Town would be a tremendous responsibility, and a great privilege.

Statement issued by Patricia de Lille, DA Mayoral Candidate for Cape Town, March 14 2011

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