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South Africa is at a cross roads. We are facing unprecedented economic and social challenges and our democratic institutions are under threat as evidenced by the recent Constitutional Court ruling that shows that President Zuma and the ANC have placed themselves first and South Africans last.

At the same time many of our country’s communities are still plagued by corruption, poor service delivery and widespread unemployment. This means that this year’s election is perhaps the most important since the dawn of our democratic dispensation in 1994.

Corruption has unfortunately become common place in the majority of our country’s local governments and is impeding even basic service delivery for millions of South Africans. What we need now, is bold and decisive leadership that can bring change that stops corruption, creates jobs and provides better services for all.

That the President yesterday did not own up and take responsibility for his hand in the almost 20-year Arms Deal debacle shows that he will put himself above the people of the Republic and their basic needs.

Despite President Jacob Zuma’s claims that the ANC has a concrete plan for local government – when interrogating the ANC’s local government manifesto, it is clear that no such plan exists.

The lack of innovative ideas and solutions is exemplified by the non-existent promise in terms of housing and other basic services, despite this being a very real issue for many South Africans.

Growing populations in our cities and towns and the challenges that many South Africans living in abject poverty face, such as access to sanitation, portable water and other basic services, should be a priority for any party wishing to govern.  Clearly this is not the case for the ANC.

In reality, this complete lack of plan for good local governance in our country shows that the ANC can only offer five more years of the unemployment, failing municipal services and rampant corruption. The ANC has changed, it is no longer a party for the people; it is a party for the politically connected few.

South Africans therefore have a choice. To continue in the wrong direction that the ANC has set South Africa on, with corruption, joblessness and inadequate services; or to vote DA to bring about real change that will move our country forward again.

Tomorrow, DA will unveil its plan for local government, including how we will provide more South Africans with employment and other opportunities, stop corruption and bring better services to every community we serve.

Our manifesto is the result of an extensive process of consultation. This includes a review of existing local governance policy and best practice measures with the interests of the South African people at the apex of our deliberations. The process has led to the formulation of new, innovative and bold initiatives to tackle the issues facing our cities and towns and those who call them home. The DA’s Federal Executive has adopted this as the official manifesto for the 2016 Local Government Elections where will bring change to municipalities across the country.

We have developed a clear programme of action that can create jobs, stop corruption and deliver quality services. This is borne out of our experience in government, where we recognised across of a range of indicators as being the best governments in SA. Where we govern we are making progress and delivering the change people need. However, we know that there is still a lot more to do deal the historical injustices.

Let me be clear: our manifesto is not just a document. It’s a contract that we sign with the people if we are elected to govern, and with those who become mayor’s for the DA. We take our document seriously, because we do not break our promises.

That is why we are making progress where we already govern, like in Cape Town and Midvaal, right here in Gauteng. We know more work needs to be done. We are not perfect. But we are bringing real change to millions of people’s lives.

We cannot stop here. We want to bring this change to more and more places across South Africa.

It is against this backdrop that we are launching our Manifesto which provides a decisive roadmap for change. We know South Africans are ready for this change and expect the launch will be the best attended event ever held by the party, expecting it to surpass by far our March for Jobs, which attracted 20,000 South Africans.

We invite all members of the media and every South African who shares our values and vision for change to join us tomorrow.

The Federal Leader, Mmusi Maimane MP will deliver the main address. The speaker’s line up will also include, but is not limited to, DA National Spokesperson, Phumzile Van Damme MP, DA Shadow Minister of Human Settlements, Makashule Gana MP. As well as the DA's Mayoral Candidates, for Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba -  for Tshwane, Solly Msimanga MPL – for Cape Town, Patricia de Lille- for Midvaal -Bongani Baloyi – for Ekurhuleni, Ghaleb Cachalia, and for Nelson Mandela Bay, Athol Trollip.

Media organisations wishing to attend the manifesto launch should RSVP- if they haven’t already- with Victoria Tompkins (victoriat@da.org.za) by no later than the close of business today, Friday 22 April 2016. The following details need to be submitted for accreditation:

• Name of organisation
• Number of people attending
• Names and positions of those attending
• Contact details (cell, tel, email)

Maimane will make his official address to the thousands of DA supporters at approx 12:30 and will be covered live on SABC 2. Those unable to attend can tune in to the live broadcast or stream it on the DA’s website. The media present will be provided with full packs and a copy of the manifesto. All members of the media are invited to arrive from 06:00 tomorrow.

On behalf of the DA, we look forward to seeing you at what will be not just the biggest event in the history of the party, but the start of a campaign that will bring about the change that will move South Africa forward again.

Issued by DA