DA re-launches as 'party of govt'
2008-11-15 14:27
Johannesburg - The Democratic Alliance "re-launched" itself as a "party of government" prepared to rule the country in Johannesburg on Saturday.
DA leader Helen Zille said that the party would rule major cities and towns across South Africa by 2011 under a new logo which she described as "the morning sun rising over the rainbow nation".
The re-launch was intended to promote the party as a viable alternative for government instead of an opposition party.
"Only the DA has a comprehensive policy alternative to the challenges our country faces.... underlying our offer is real substance."
Core values remain the same
Zille highlighted that the core values of the DA would remain that same, namely the rights enshrined in the constitution, equal opportunity and dignity of all peoples, languages, races and cultures.
The DA still stood for clean government and exposing corruption, as well as promoting tolerance, excellence and personal responsibility.
On the economic front Zille said the DA was committed to a market-driven economy, "appropriately regulated", that was focused on creating job while providing a welfare safety net for those who could not provide for themselves.
The party wanted to create a country where everyone had access to "life-changing opportunities" and where prosperity and growth were shared by all.
Often emphasising her main points in English, Afrikaans and Zulu, Zille said she wanted to create a country "where each and every language and culture in respected and protected. The DA is a party which cherishes diversity.
"Diversity adds strength, adds insight, adds value to each decision we make and every initiative we take."
'We can overcome our past'
The re-launch at the Constitutional Hill used visual media accompanied by modern songs to convey a powerful message of hope and change.
The presentation told the story of a South Africa born in hope in 1994, plagued by crime, poverty and unemployment, with hope for the future.
"We can overcome our past," Zille said.
"Barack Obama made history by overcoming history.
"So we will campaign without cease or respite... until our country really is a land of hope and opportunity. One nation with one future."
- SAPA