Democratic Alliance (DA) Leader John Steenhausen has urged voters to seize the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make history by ousting the African National Congress (ANC) and electing the DA to government.
Steenhuisen was addressing thousands of supporters at the party's final rally, “We Can Save South Africa”, in Benoni, east of Johannesburg.
Steenshuizen said this was the first time since 1994 that the DA had a clear path to national politics.
He says the multi-party charter, the biggest collection of opposition votes since 1994, is something they hope to use to secure 50 percent of the seats. It takes a plus one to take over the government.
He added that the DA could take control of national and provincial governments for the first time with the support of its multi-party charter partners.
Steenhuisen says the DA has a proven track record and is the best option to deliver a better life for all South Africans.
“On Wednesday, you will have the pen in your hands to write a new chapter for South Africa. But make no mistake: if DA voters do not turn up to the polls or spread their votes among the many smaller parties on the ballot paper, our country's next chapter may be even uglier than the last. If we do nothing and allow the ANC, EFF and MK Party coalition to govern, with the support of traitors like the Patriotic Alliance, our tomorrow will be much worse than yesterday,” he says.
He also used the party's final rally to slam the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill, which President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law just over a week ago.
He described it as a desperate election ploy by the ANC aimed at manipulating voters.
He said the plan would take away health care assistance from millions of South Africans who have worked hard since 1994 to get into the middle class.
Election 2024 | DA highlights NHI issue at final election rally