My fellow South Africans,

This festive season, my family and I will be celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ – a time of hope and great joy for Christians.

However you spend your summer holiday, I hope that you take the time to recharge with your loved ones.

This has been a challenging year for most South Africans as the ANC-government led us into the worst economic recession our country has experienced since the global financial crisis, and the cost of living and joblessness got even worse.

It has been a year where we all worried about our children growing up in a country where corruption is endemic.

A year where our families weren’t always safe in our homes.

But we are spurred on by our need for change!

I have had the privilege to meet so many South Africans – in every corner of our beautiful country – who want to work together, realise their potential and achieve Madiba’s dream!

When you get back in the new year, please remember that the first step to bringing change is ensuring that you are registered to vote in the 2019 national elections. (Your last chance to make sure you’re on the list will be at the final voter registration weekend on 26 and 27 January.)

Here’s to getting some well-deserved rest and a fresh start in the new year! I look forward to working with you to bring change to communities across the country!

Have a blessed festive season,

Mmusi Maimane
Leader of the Democratic Alliance