POLITICS

Register to vote to keep making progress - Patricia de Lille

Mayor of Cape Town says this is the most critical election in the history of our young democracy

Register to vote to keep making progress 

7 April 2016

This weekend is the last weekend to register to vote in the 2016 Local Government Elections on the 3rd August. This is the most critical election in the history of our young democracy.

No South African should take for granted their opportunity to vote. If your government works for you, vote to keep that government delivering. If your government is only enriching themselves, then you must remove them from power by voting for change. 

If you are a South African citizen over the age of 18 and have a green bar-coded ID book, a Smartcard ID or a valid Temporary Identity Certificate you can register to vote. And register you must, or you won’t be able to vote in this year’s election.

By registering to vote, you empower yourself to participate in the democratic process. The DA believes in active citizenship, where South Africans actively participate in our democracy and vote for a Councillor to represent them in government. 

If you are not sure if you are registered or where you have registered before, you can check your registration status on check.da.org.za. Alternatively, you can SMS your ID number to 32810 or contact the Democratic Alliance call centre on 086 122 5532

Last week, I presented the final draft budget in this term of office, as Mayor of Cape Town. 

In this budget we continued to prioritise improving the lives of the poor. Consistently, we have allocated 67% of the budget to services and programmes aimed at improving the lives of the poor. 

The budget is now being reviewed by the public, and in my administration we take residents feedback seriously and we take it in the spirit of equal participation. 

This is democracy in action.

Since the DA has been in government in the City of Cape Town we have made significant progress and now deliver better services than any other metro in South Africa. 

We deliver the most water, electricity and sanitation to homes in Cape Town because we care and because we are committed to progress. 

By registering to vote and voting for the DA you will enable us to continue making progress in the City of Cape Town.

And we want to bring a DA change to municipalities where we don’t govern yet. 

The DA in Cape Town, the Western Cape, Midvaal and other governments, will continue working to grow our economy, prioritise job creation and incentivise investment so that we can keep making progress possible, together.

Through our jobs initiatives and the Expanded Public Works Programme we have lowered unemployment to 19% in the Western Cape. In contrast, the national unemployment rate is on the increase and currently sits at 25%. 

We are also working to create a safer City for our residents by making gang-ridden areas safer and tackling substance abuse head on. 

This requires a holistic approach to the socio-economic conditions that give rise to high levels of violence and crime. 

We are encouraged by the successes achieved thus far through our social development programmes that provide life skills and leadership training; our Matrix clinics that provide treatment for alcohol and drug abuse; our Small Business Services Support initiative that promotes entrepreneurship and business-driven job placements, and the dedicated work of our Metro Police and the recently created Stabilisation Unit.

We have seen that through our Operation Ceasefire we have had a 31% reduction in murder in Hanover Park and this initiative will be rolled out to more areas including Delft, Ottery and Manenberg. 

There is still much more that needs to be done, and we hope to continue building on what we have achieved thus far. The DA will work tirelessly to create safe, caring, inclusive, well-run and opportunity cities throughout the country. 

The future of our country depends on good, clean and effective local government with a track record of delivery. 

The DA is that government.

 This weekend you have one more opportunity to register to vote. I urge everyone to play a part in determining the future of our country. 

Register, so you can vote on the 3rd August 2016.

Issued by Cameron Arendse, DA Media Manager, City of Cape Town Campaign, 7 April 2016