The ANC is no longer the party our parents and families brought us up in
22 July 2016
Remarks by Jacob Zuma this week, mobilizing South Africans to vote along racial lines, shows that the ANC of our parents – the ANC that fought for our freedom – is now a party desperate to distract South Africans from the fact that they've failed to create jobs and build on the progress that Madiba started.
We are here to condemn in no uncertain terms Jacob Zuma’s dangerous racial campaigning this week. As DA members who have left the ANC, we pity what has become of the ANC – a party that seeks to divide instead of unite.
This dangerous campaigning must be seen for what it is: desperation to cling onto power at all costs, because the ANC doesn’t have a plan to create jobs, stop corruption and deliver better services.
The sad truth is that the ANC is no longer the party of Nelson Mandela, and no longer the party our parents and families brought us up in. Zuma has directly contradicted and undermined Nelson Mandela, who fought for the freedom for all South Africans to choose who they vote for. He should be ashamed of himself.
To divide our nation along racial lines is to take us back to the darkest and most deplorable parts of our history. United we are strong, but divided by Jacob Zuma, we are at risk of fracturing our nation. This shows that the ANC cannot be trusted to take South Africa forward.
Zuma’s comments come as the ANC is more and more exposed as a corrupt organisation, and is seeking ways to distract voters from the truth.
Self-enrichment, and personal gain has become more important to the ANC than delivery to the people, as the ANC today follows Jacob Zuma’s lead. As a man who broke the Constitution, Zuma is leading the ANC further and further away from the rule of law.
We have left the ANC because it no longer has the best interests of South Africa at heart. Leaving the party our families worked and struggled in was a very serious decision, but it was a decision we each made because the ANC cannot be trusted to take South Africa forward.
Unlike the ANC, the DA has proven itself to deliver on its promises in government, to reconcile people and to make progress. This is why under the DA the highest access to basic services is a reality, the lowest unemployment in South Africa is achieved and corruption has been cut out.
“My wife and children live in Midvaal, where the DA governs, and they are very happy with the delivery.”said Madoda Mbeki
As momentum builds behind the DA, our diversity, delivery record, and policies for South Africa continue to attract South Africans in their numbers into our ranks.
“I moved to Cape Town in 2014 and saw the progress being made by the DA. I saw the diversity of the DA, and Cape Town. Tenders are open and government is transparent. And the DA took immediate action against a racism allegation. I am sure the DA will take South Africa forward.” said Lindela Tshwete
While Jacob Zuma seeks to divide South Africans, the DA will unite South Africans.
To Jacob Zuma we say that we are not confused, we are proudly DA and on 3 August we will vote DA for change that moves South Africa forward again.
Statement issued by Ghaleb Cachalia, Madoda Mbeki and Lindela Tshwete, 22 July 2016
