The DA Relaunch

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=90 style=" border-bottom: 1px solid #3366CC;" BGCOLOR="#000066" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <B>Tulbagh Info Information</B></div> <div> The DA Relaunch</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=390 style=" border-left: 1px solid #3366CC;" BGCOLOR="#000066" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="120" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER BGCOLOR=#0099CC HEIGHT= 15 WIDTH="116"><div> <A HREF="da.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Democratic Alliance Party"><U>Back to DA</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> Quote of the Week </div> <bR> <div> <I>“The party’s new logo, a morning sun rising over the Rainbow Nation, reflects our new offer and the dream of an open opportunity society for all.” </I></div> <bR> <div> <B>Helen Zille, at the unveiling of the DA's new logo in Johannesburg on Saturday.</B> </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Last Week's Highlights </div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > <A NAME="01"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></FONT><B>Top Story</B>:<B> Delivering the South African dream: One Nation, One Future </B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille on Saturday unveiled the party’s new logo saying the party is launching a new vision for South Africa to make the country’s dream a living reality.</div> <bR> <div> Zille said the re-launch of the party came with a new approach of campaigning for elections and a new determination to address the injustices and transcend the racial divisions of our country's past.</div> <bR> <div> Speaking at Constitutional Hill in Johannesburg, Zille said the change is aimed at attracting people who share the party's values, but who have not historically supported the DA.</div> <bR> <div> She said the country would see a new DA emerge which would be more diverse, more reflective of South Africa’s rich racial, linguistic and cultural heritage and more committed to providing excellence and equity in public service than ever before.</div> <bR> <div> “We can overcome our past; we can turn South Africa into a safe, prosperous, free society in which everyone has a fair shot at achieving their dreams, irrespective of the circumstances of their birth.”</div> <bR> <div> Zille went on to clarify what would stay the same within the party and what would change.</div> <bR> <div> She said that the party’s vision of an open opportunity society for all, founded on the bedrock of its core values would remain the same, as would its championing of rights and freedoms of every person, enshrined in a Constitution.</div> <bR> <div> “We have always stood for equal and ever-expanding opportunity. Not for some, but for all. We still do,” she said.</div> <bR> <div> “We have always believed in the dignity and equality of each and every person, and promoted the language, culture and heritage of all the rainbow people, and we still do.”</div> <bR> <div> The party had always fought for the security of the children, women and men of our country, who deserved to live without fear of criminals and still did, as well as remaining committed to clean government, exposing corruption and championing tolerance, excellence and personal responsibility.</div> <bR> <div> “Here’s what’s new,” she said, “The DA is a party of government.”</div> <bR> <div> “We are in government in Cape Town and in many other municipalities and we aim to be in government in various provinces after next year's election.” </div> <bR> <div> “We are determined to be in government in cities and towns across South Africa in 2011 and we will be part of national government in the near future.” </div> <bR> <div> Where the DA was in opposition, it would continue to provide the critical oversight and policy alternatives which everyone expected of it, and the country required of it.</div> <bR> <div> “But our purpose is not to be an opposition party; it is to be a party of government, and so, from now on, the DA no longer offers opposition and nothing else.”</div> <bR> <div> “From today, we offer the people of South Africa a government that really can deliver a better future: a future in which every person is free, where everyone has access to life-changing opportunities, where growth and prosperity are shared by all, where every child is protected and safe, where each and every language and culture is respected and protected,” Zille said.</div> <bR> <div> “That is our dream; that is our promise; that is what we offer and will deliver to the rainbow people.”</div> <bR> <div> This new vision was reflected in the policy proposals which were currently being rolled out, covering every area of public life in South Africa.</div> <bR> <div> “Only the DA has a comprehensive policy alternative to the challenges our country faces. Because underlying our offer is real substance - comprehensively researched and carefully considered.”</div> <bR> <div> “It’s our sights and spirits, it signals hope and it’s grounded in our love for diversity.”</div> <bR> <div> “The DA loves South Africa.”</div> <bR> <div> “We love our rainbow people in all their glorious diversity -they are our inspiration and our hope.”</div> <bR> <div> “We love the Constitution, which binds us to one another after so much division and despair.”</div> <bR> <div> “The DA will not let down the land we love- we will never give up our dream for the rainbow people.”</div> <bR> <div> Read Zille's full speech <B><U>HERE</U></B> >><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <U>Back to top >> </U></div> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="02"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma" ><B>The South African Dream</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Ahead of DA leader Helen Zille's speech and the unveiling of the new DA logo, eight speakers representing a cross-section of the leaders and members of the DA stood up to share their dreams for South Africa. Here is a selection of quotes from each.</div> <bR> <div> My cherished hope for this country is that one day South Africans will look each other in the eye and see each others’ human dignity: not their race or gender or culture or ethnicity, but their human dignity.It is the challenge to build a nation founded on the values of human dignity, equality, non-racialism and non-sexism. My dream is that we will embrace this challenge, that we will meet it head on, and that we will succeed in building a united and democratic South Africa able to take its rightful place in the family of nations. May God protect all our people. God bless South Africa. </div> <div> <B>- Joe Seremane, MP - DA National Chairperson (in Setswana)</B></div> <bR> <div> I dream of a country where children leave school able to read and write; where everybody has a job; where business prospers and the economy grows; and where we all live in harmony, united in our diversity. </div> <div> <B>- Watty Watson, MP - DA Leader in the National Council of Provinces (in Afrikaans) </B></div> <bR> <div> When I dream of the kind of country I would like to live in, I imagine a society free from crime; a nation with a prosperous and growing economy; and a state that is able to provide the best quality education and healthcare to its citizens. I dream that a young girl growing up in Manguzi will be able to learn in a building rather than under a tree. </div> <div> <B>- Cllr Sizwe Mchunu - KZN Deputy Leader (in isiZulu) </B></div> <bR> <div> I dream of waking up in the morning, secure and safe. I dream of walking freely in the streets at night with confidence and peace of mind. I dream of a country where criminals are speedily apprehended and prosecuted; where victims of crime are treated with compassion and understanding; and where people know that those who are prosecuted will be brought to justice. </div> <div> <B>- Max, MPL - Western Cape Deputy Chairperson (in Afrikaans) </B></div> <bR> <div> I dream that families will have the shelter they need to keep warm and safe. I dream that communities will have enough running water and electricity. I dream that no-one will go hungry; no-one will go thirsty. </div> <div> <B>- Sandy Kalyan, MP - NA Whip (in English)</B> </div> <bR> <div> As a mother, I dream of a better country for my newborn child. A country where he will grow up to be whatever he wants to be; do whatever he wants to do; and achieve whatever he is able to achieve. </div> <div> <B>- Juanita Terblanche, MP - NCOP Whip (in English) </B></div> <bR> <div> My dream for South Africa is that we will become a more open society. I dream that there will be greater political tolerance; deeper respect for the Constitution and the institutions of democracy; a clearer separation between party and state; and a ruling party that does not abuse its power or believe it has a divine right to rule. </div> <div> <B>Cllr Dan Plato - City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member (in Afrikaans)</B> </div> <bR> <div> I dream of a country where a girl from the dusty streets of Lwamondo can rise up out of poverty and become a captain of industry – through talent, hard work, and effort. I dream of a country where a boy from the windswept plains of the Cape Flats can become the President of South Africa – not by being part of closed patronage networks, but by inspiring and leading his compatriots on the strength of his ideas and ideals. </div> <div> <B>Cllr Khume Ramulifho - DA Youth National Spokesperson (in TshiVenda)</B></div> <bR> <div> <U>Back to top >> </U></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > <A NAME="03"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></FONT><B>View from inside – Yes We Can!</B> </div> <bR> <div> With great fanfare, the Democratic Alliance unveiled its new promise to the people of South Africa to an excited crowed of over 1000 party loyalists and invited guests at Constitution Hill on Saturday morning.</div> <bR> <div> As DA leader Helen Zille took to the podium, the audience chanted: "Helen Zille for president".</div> <bR> <div> This was followed by a series of recorded messages from ordinary South Africans as well as some of the more well-known, including Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, former Springbok winger Chester Williams and World-Cup-winning rugby captain Francois Pienaar.</div> <bR> <div> All spoke of the country they dreamed of living in and all spoke of a South Africa free of crime and corruption and about creating job opportunities and having respect for the rule of law.</div> <bR> <div> In his message, Tutu said: "I dream of a country where each and every one of us matters whether poor or rich, where we are also free to express ourselves. I trust those in politics will strive to make my dream come true."</div> <bR> <div> Crowd participation again rose to a crescendo in response to Zille mentioning US President-elect Barack Obama's success. </div> <bR> <div> She said that Barack Obama had made history by overcoming history; he had convinced people that they could, and "so can we." </div> <bR> <div> To which Zille’s supporters responded by chanting "Yes, we can" — the well-known election slogan of Obama. </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>