DA manifesto promises 2 million jobs, end to load shedding

Steenhuisen said the main priorities for the current official opposition would be the creation of two million new jobs, ridding the country of load shedding and erratic water supply, halving the rate of violent crime, crushing corruption and lifting six million people out of poverty.

Steenhuisen delivered the DA’a election manifesto at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

Ahead of the launch, scores of DA supporters marched from Church Square to the Union Buildings to symbolise the party's readiness to take over government. 

The sea of blue umbrellas braved the heat on Saturday to listen to the party's blueprint to “rescue South Africa”,

Steenhuisen said it was important to take their message to the Union Buildings. 

"It is inside these buildings that the ANC executed the plans that created the world’s highest unemployment rate, unleashed violent criminals on innocent people, and captured the state.

“It is inside these buildings, that the dreams of Tintswalo, and millions of other hopeful young people, were betrayed.

“The same buildings that once served as a symbol of hope when President Nelson Mandela assumed office here, have been turned into a crime scene.” 

He said the DA’s manifesto would undo the damage caused by the ANC.

"We will focus our time in government like a laser beam on implementing these seven key pledges, because we understand that if we do not fix these seven things, South Africa does not have a future.

“But it will fundamentally restore our country back onto the path of promise, and give us all permission to believe in our great South African dream again.

“Instead of a government that tells you it’s not the end of the world when load shedding makes you unemployed or destroys your business, you can vote for a new government that ends load shedding.” 

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