The contrast between the approaches of the DA and the ANC in this election is stark and revealing.

The DA’s campaign offers South Africans better service delivery for all and is underpinned by our track record where we govern. The ANC’s increasingly hysterical campaign offers South Africans racial hatred and division.

South Africans are being offered a clear choice between a forward-looking party with solutions for everyone and a backward-looking party that seeks to divide along race lines in an effort to win power.

We are comfortable with this, because it gives voters a clear choice on May 18. If you want delivery for all, vote DA. If you want racial division with no service delivery for anyone, vote ANC. Seems a pretty clear choice to us!

Here is a comparison of the statements released over the past week by the DA and the ANC. It constitutes a helpful guide for voters in choosing which party to vote for.

Local Government Election-related communications for the week of Thursday 28 April – Thursday 5 May

ANC and Alliance Partners:
Election statements issued: 16
Statements on proactive policy issues: 0 of 16 (0%)

DA:
Election statements issued: 37
Statements on proactive policy issues: 26 out of 37 (70%)
Statements on other election issues (such as defections, poster vandalism, etc): 11 (30%)

ANC and Alliance Partners:

5 May: Cosatu Western Cape: Accuse Helen Zille of being “morally corrupt” for drawing a double salary. She does not – the accusations are entirely spurious. No policy message.
5 May: Cosatu Gauteng: Accuse DA of being “white racist fascist organisation that represent (sic) the interest of white monopoly capital”. No policy message.
5 May: YCLSA: Accuse DA of hypocrisy, racism and sexism; attacks Lindiwe Mazibuko, Patricia de Lille, Mmusi Maimane, Brandon Topham and Helen Zille. No policy message.
4 May: SACP Northern Cape: In responding to reports that SACP members will support DA, accuses DA of being an “extension of monopoly white capital”. No policy message.
4 May: ANC: Jackson Mthembu accuses the DA of being “a party committed to racial segregation.”
3 May: Cosatu Western Cape: Accuse Cape Town of “exacerbat[ing]” fire in Masiphumelele, and criticised Patricia de Lille and Dan Plato.
2 May: SACP: Use May Day statement to attack opposition parties and the DA; say DA is “two stooges and a madam.” Series of attacks on the City of Cape Town; no reference to what the ANC is doing in government.
1 May: Cosatu Sedibeng: Criticism over placement of PAC electoral posters. No policy message.
1 May: ANC: Statement issued on defecting councillors. No policy message.
29 April: SACP: Attacks DA after High Court judgment by Nathan Erasmus.
29 April: YCL: Internal ANC lists issue. No policy message.
29 April: ANCYL: Accuses the DA of being racist after High Court judgment by Nathan Erasmus.
29 April: ANC: Jackson Mthembu accuses the DA of being a racial political party, committed to protecting Apartheid privilege. No policy message.
29 April: Cosatu Gauteng: Statement mentions local government elections, calls DA a “white racist Devils Alliance led by Helen Zille”. No policy message.
29 April: Cosatu: Internal ANC lists issue. No policy message.
28 April: Cosatu: May Day message – mentions elections, but no policy message.

Democratic Alliance:

5 May: Helen Zille: “Your vote can win it in Tshwane!” Proactive focus on DA’s record in the City of Cape Town.
5 May: Patricia De Lille: “The Safe City: Patricia de Lille joins Copperheads on three successful raids.” Proactive focus on current DA policy programme.
5 May: Mmusi Maimane: “The DA's three steps to build a more inclusive Johannesburg.” Proactive focus on policy.
5 May: Shelley Loe: Call for a policy change on Mayco meetings in Ekurhuleni, to improve municipal transparency. Proactive policy focus.
5 May: Lindiwe Mazibuko: Response to ANC politicking over Midvaal.
5 May: Shelley Loe: Statement on proposed solutions to problems with taxi rank in Ekurhuleni.
4 May: Gauteng: Concern over ANC candidate who claims he is already elected.
4 May: Ronnie Veeran: Statement on DA’s proposed solutions to problems concerning uShaka Marine World development.
4 May: Mpumalanga: Concerns raised over removal of DA posters.
4 May: Patricia de Lille: “The Opportunity City: Cape Town is number one for investment.” Proactive focus on delivery record / policy.
4 May: James Selfe: “DA presents Track Record of Delivery for All.” Proactive focus on delivery record / policy.
4 May: Mmusi Maimane: How The DA will tackle youth unemployment. Proactive policy focus.
4 May: Lindiwe Mazibuko: DA Delivery Daily Fact #22: Proactive focus on delivery record / policy in Theewaterskloof.
3 May: Patricia de Lille: “VPUU: DA administration would roll out programme to Hanover Park”. Policy pledge.
3 May: Mmusi Maimane: “The DA's five steps to build a safer Johannesburg.” Proactive focus on policy.
3 May: Lindiwe Mazibuko: “DA Delivery Daily Fact #21” focusing on record in Cape Town. Proactive policy focus.
3 May: Brandon Topham: Economic growth policy for the Tshwane Metro. Proactive focus on policy.
2 May: Ronnie Veeran: Minority Front members cross the floor to the DA.
2 May: Mmusi Maimane: ANC members cross to the DA.
2 May: Shelley Loe: Statement on sewage situation in Ekurhuleni.
1 May: Patricia De Lille: Announcement of new Apprenticeship Programme for Cape Town. Proactive policy proposal.
1 May: Mmusi Maimane: The DA's Workers' Day message for Johannesburg, focusing on a series of job creation proposals for the City of Johannesburg.
1 May: Helen Zille: Speech outlining DA delivery record in Midvaal and Cape Town, and job creation policy proposals ahead of local government election.
30 April: Patricia de Lille: DA unveils “Delivery Bus”. Message focused on our campaign policy pledges for City of Cape Town.
30 April: Helen Zille: DA unveils “Delivery Bus”. Message focused on voting based on delivery record.
30 April: Mmusi Maimane: The DA’s 10 steps to fix housing delivery in Johannesburg. Proactive, policy message.
30 April: Mpumalanga: Concern over Matthews Phosa’s attempt to stop a DA rally.
29 April: Helen Zille: DA’s response to Nathan Erasmus judgment.
29 April: Mmusi Maimane: “The DA’s plan to transform Johannesburg into a Caring City”. Proactive policy focus.
29 April: Patricia De Lille: “Myciti: Building an affordable and reliable transport link to the people of Atlantis, Du Noon, Doornbach and the West Coast”. Proactive policy message.
29 April: Gauteng: Concern over removal of DA election posters.
28 April: Dr Wilmot James: DA welcomes Sadeco members.
28 April: Patricia de Lille: Statement on Early Childhood Development centre in City of Cape Town. Policy message.
28 April: Mmusi Maimane: Outline of the DA’s policies to create a more caring, opportunities-driven society in Johannesburg. Proactive policy focus.
28 April: Lindiwe Mazibuko: “DA Daily Delivery Fact #20”, focusing on DA local government policing policy.
28 April: Eastern Cape: Statement on Buffalo City mayor audit report scandal
28 April: Brandon Topham: DA proposes changes to Tshwane budget. Proactive policy focus.