https://www.polity.org.za
Deepening Democracy through Access to Information
Home / Speeches RSS ← Back
Close

Email this article

separate emails by commas, maximum limit of 4 addresses

Sponsored by

Close

Embed Video

DA: Mmusi Maimane: Address by DA Leader, at a public meeting ahead of a by-election for the council seat, Kgatelopele, Northern Cape (21/10/2016)

DA Leader Mmusi Maimane
Photo by Jurgen Marx
DA Leader Mmusi Maimane

21st October 2016

SAVE THIS ARTICLE      EMAIL THIS ARTICLE

Font size: -+

Fellow Democrats, people of the Northern Cape.

Good afternoon, Goeie middag, Dumelang.

Advertisement

It is a great pleasure to be here in Kgatelopele, to meet you all, and to introduce the DA’s candidate for the upcoming by-election here in Ward 2, which will take place on 9 November this year.at a public meeting

However, there is also great sadness that has recently attached itself to this part of our country – this town in particular. That being the tragic and untimely death of Johannes Baaitjie, who was murdered in August, the day before he was meant to be sworn in as the ward councillor for this community.

Advertisement

The last time I was here in Danielskuil, Kgatelopele was just a few weeks ago, to attend Johannes’s funeral. I’d like to take this opportunity to express once again my deepest condolences to his family and friends for their great loss. I want to pay tribute to Johannes, who paid with his life for his unwavering commitment and willingness to serve his community.

Democrats, the DA simply must win the upcoming by-election on 9 November for two very important reasons which I’d like to touch on.

Firstly, because the very future of Kgatelopele depends on who wins this by-election. The Kgatelopele Council is made up of 7 seats, with the ANC occupying 3 seats at present, the DA 1 seat, and the Kgatelopele Community Forum (KCF) with 2 seats. Through a coalition agreement, the DA and KCF coalition took control of the municipality.

However, this was done by way of a coin toss. Literally, the fate of this town was left to a coin toss, because the votes were tied 3-3. Democrats, this by-election is for that crucial and all-encompassing 7th seat.

If the ANC wins, they will win control of the Kgatelopele Municipality.

If the DA wins, the Kgatelopele Municipality will remain a DA-led municipality.

The stakes are that high!

Democrats, we cannot leave the future of Kgatelopele to another coin toss.

We cannot afford 5 years of ANC corruption – which means fewer jobs and even fewer services for the people of Kgatelopele. This by-election affects every South African who calls this part of the country their home.

But the second reason we must be victorious on 9 November is to honour the legacy of the late Johannes Baaitjies, by continuing the work he started in this community, and to bring the DA brand of good, clean and caring governance to the people of Kgatelopele

From Danielskuil, to Donkerhoek, to Kuilsrivier, residents want a municipality that can create jobs!

And residents want a municipality that ensures our streets cleaned and our potholes fixed!

The people of Kgatelopele deserve a ward councillor and a municipality that puts their interests first, by creating jobs, cutting corruption, and delivering better services for all residents.

It is therefore my pleasure to introduce the DA’s candidate for the upcoming by-election here in ward 2, Mr Ebrahim Sulliman.

Ladies and gentleman, Ebrahim Sulliman understands what it means to serve the public. And he passionately wants to serve you.

He understands what it means to serve the people, not selfish interests.

In Ebrahim, you have a public servant who is heavily invested in your community. He was born and grew up in Kgatelopele. For almost three decades he served this community as teacher and then principal of Kuilsville High School, before moving into politics.

Ebrahim brings with him a depth of skills and experience that will stand him in good stead as your ward councillor. He has clocked up many years of active political involvement, both as a member of the provincial legislature, and as a member of parliament.

He showed his commitment to honest government by leaving the ANC, and rejecting its corruption under the leadership of Jacob Zuma. And he has shown his commitment to service delivery and job creation by joining the DA.

Democrats, fellow South Africans,

I want to urge you, our work has only just begun. Over the next 3 weeks, we need to go out into the community, knock on every door, speak to every resident, and ensure ward 2 stays blue and out of the hands of the ANC.

Because with your vote, we can ensure Kgatelopele stays blue, and the government here operates for the people, not for those in power.

Ons moet stem vroeg, stem reg, en stem DA!

I thank you!

EMAIL THIS ARTICLE      SAVE THIS ARTICLE

To subscribe email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or click here
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here

Comment Guidelines

About

Polity.org.za is a product of Creamer Media.
www.creamermedia.co.za

Other Creamer Media Products include:
Engineering News
Mining Weekly
Research Channel Africa

Read more

Subscriptions

We offer a variety of subscriptions to our Magazine, Website, PDF Reports and our photo library.

Subscriptions are available via the Creamer Media Store.

View store

Advertise

Advertising on Polity.org.za is an effective way to build and consolidate a company's profile among clients and prospective clients. Email advertising@creamermedia.co.za

View options
Free daily email newsletter Register Now