Mandela's dream fading - DA

2012-12-01 19:03

Mmusi Maimane. (Beeld)

Johannesburg - The dream of former president Nelson Mandela is fading, the DA's newly elected deputy federal chair Mmusi Maimane said on Saturday.

"When government spends R250m on a house for one person, but doesn't build houses for this community, that dream fades," he said at a by-election rally in the Eastern Cape's Lukhanji municipality.

Maimane was referring to the multi-million rand upgrade and renovations to President Jacob Zuma's homestead in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal.

"When children in this province have to walk 12km to school to find no teachers and no textbooks, that dream fades," he said.

"When our women and children are raped and murdered in our streets, that dream fades."

He said ultimately people need more than hopes and dreams. They need results.

"Let’s all agree that we need a government that works. Let’s all agree that we need a government that doesn't steal from the people," he said.

"Let's all agree that we need a government that cares more about the people than about its own welfare. Let's all agree that we need a government that grows the economy, so that poor people can find jobs."

The only way to be truly free was to deliver on Mandela's vision, said Maimane.

"The time for change is now. Stand by us now, and we will work to deliver Madiba's dream for South Africa."

- SAPA