Maimane stressed during his victory speech that the DA would continue to support its value of freedom, fairness and opportunity.
“In a free society every individual has the freedom to make their own choices about the life they want to live. That is why we completely reject discrimination on the basis of race, gender and sexual orientation,” said Maimane.
“In a free society every person has the power to improve their lives, because freedom means nothing without opportunities. Every citizen must be given a chance to be the best they can be.
“I know the difference that opportunity can make to a person’s life. Like many people living in Gauteng, my parents were migrant labourers who had come to eGoli in search of a better life.
“My parents worked hard to give us the opportunities they never had. I went to a state school in Roodeport and did well enough to get into university.”
Maimane said it is, however, sad that most young black South Africans continue to be denied access to great opportunities, just as their parents were during apartheid.
Maimane stressed the need for a fair society, which is a more equal society. He also made note the DA will stand firm in its commitment to implement policies that redress the legacy of the past.
“We will stay resolutely committed to a system of social security to protect people from extreme poverty.
“Where we govern, we will continue to deliver high quality basic services such as water, electricity and sanitation.
“We will focus on education because too many children still receive an inferior education, and we know that a good education is the foundation of a successful life.
“And, above all, we will push for measures to grow our economy and create jobs.
“We must structure the economy so that young people have opportunities to start small businesses, an economy where we leverage state owned enterprises as skills incubators by offering apprenticeships.
“We need a job-creating labour regime where trade unions protect their members, but not at the expense of keeping unemployed people locked out of the economy.
“We will show South Africa that, when Nelson Mandela died, his dream of a rainbow nation did not die with him.
“We need to overcome racial, cultural, religious and economic barriers and build one nation, with one future.”
He also said that the DA needs to make sure that its message of hope is more powerful than their message of hate.
“While they are tearing down statues, we will be building schools and creating jobs. While they illegally invade land, we will be implementing successful land reform programmes.
“While they trade on the divisions of the past, we will position the DA as the party of tomorrow.
“While they play on people’s fears, we will connect with voters on the basis of shared values.
“We must defend the Constitution of the Republic at all costs. We must ensure that everyone is equal before the law.
Maimane insisted that the DA will be the next government of South Africa.
DA’s top Gauteng candidate visits Boksburg
