From the desk of John Steenhuisen, Leader of the Democratic Alliance
Democrats,
This past month, the DA took our Turbocharge the Economy campaign straight into the heartlands of our country. I saw, firsthand, how decades of mismanagement and apathy by singular ANC rule have cost our country. I visited communities in the North West, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State, meeting business owners, workers, and youth who are on the frontlines of an economic struggle.
The picture is plain to see: everywhere that the DA does not govern, basic services fail. This means poor roads, collapsing infrastructure and pollution. Take a look at the situation at Potchefstroom dam, for example. When the basics are not delivered by local municipalities, people and businesses suffer. Those who can, migrate. Those who remain are in an even worse position than before: with fewer businesses, jobs and economic opportunities dwindle.
Although this may seem bleak, it is a massive opportunity for the DA – the only political party in South Africa with a track record of clean governance and good service delivery. Even the President has said so. As non-DA municipalities continue to drop the ball, the DA is there to show that we can deliver: not only basic services, but we have a credible economic plan to turbocharge the South African economy, to increase employment and make happier lives for our people. Ours is more than a message of competence. It is a message of hope for ordinary South Africans all over our beautiful country who are struggling economically and feel abandoned and let down by 30 years of misrule by apathetic leadership in non-DA municipalities.
As we head into the local government election campaign season, we can show voters that we care and that there is hope. In Gqeberha, Tshwane, Johannesburg and eThekwini, I have had the privilege of introducing capable, dedicated and patriotic South Africans to lead these metros as DA mayoral candidates. We are putting our best foot forward, strategically, in every city and town that we will fight for. We want strong, principled DA leadership at the centre of the 2026 local elections.
My recent visits around South Africa have reaffirmed what I have said from day one: the DA in government must always work, listen, and deliver. With our six-point plan at the core, we are pushing for growth, service, integrity, jobs and fairness. Everywhere I go, citizens tell me they want action, not platitudes.
We are ready to meet that demand.
Yours in service,
John Steenhuisen
Leader of the Democratic Alliance