Democratic Alliance leader and Western Cape Premier Helen Zille
Democratic Alliance leader and Western Cape Premier Helen Zille

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THOUSANDS of Democratic Alliance (DA) supporters gathered at the party’s final election rally on Saturday, where they heard that while conditions had improved since the end apartheid, the lives of most have not improved in the last five years.

The party held its final election rally at the Coca-Cola dome in Northgate Johannesburg under the theme "Vote for Jobs," with DA leader Helen Zille telling a packed stadium the African National Congress (ANC) had "forgotten who put them in power".

The ANC had "changed" under the leadership of President Jacob Zuma believing "they will be in power forever".

The two questions voters should ask themselves were "Is South Africa a better place than it was five years ago" and "is your live better than it was in 2009," said Ms Zille.

The DA had a track record of governance that had stopped corruption in its tracks, created jobs, and led to service delivery particularly for poorest residents, she said.

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"If our government was doing its work properly, South Africa would be attracting more investment and the economy would be growing much faster to create the jobs we need," she said.

The crowd was also addressed by Gauteng Premier Mmusi Maimane, Parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko and Gauteng leader John Moody

Mr Maimane said on Saturday rates of unemployment were at their lowest where the DA governed.

The DA on Friday unveiled its proposed Ministerial handbook for the province, that would deny luxury spending by officials, keeping expenditure on official cars, flights and accommodation to a minimum.

Mr Maimane said the DA would create hundreds of thousands of internships in the province improve the school system, and stimulate creative entrepreneurs by supporting small business.

"This is what I want to bring to the economic hub of this country... as the next premier of Gauteng," he said.

Ms Mazibuko hit out at Mr Zuma, saying his cows had more security, and his chickens lived in greater luxury, than the people who elected him.

Mr Zuma’s Nkandla residence was a "a place where swimming pools, helipads, amphitheatres and multi-million rand air conditioners are considered security features. Democrats, we deserve better," she said.

With Sapa