Picture: DA leader, John Steenhuisen

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

14 February 2026- The Democratic Alliance (DA) leader, John Steenhuisen said it is a privilege to be with you today in Mbombela and on Valentine’s Day. Steenhuisen  said it’s especially fitting that they are gathered here on the day, which celebrates the commitment of love, because it’s an opportunity to celebrate the love we have for this party, this province and the important role that both play in South Africa.

He further said the kind of love that recognises the importance of this incredible province. Steenhuisen added that the historic source of South Africa’s energy and where many of their vast natural resources and heritage are held.

“Democrats, this has been an especially difficult start to the year for everyone in the Democratic Alliance in Mpumalanga. The untimely passing of our Provincial Director, Sarbhera Amod, just six weeks ago is still raw and painful for us all. Day in and out, Sarbie served with excellence, professionalism and humanity.

“She was a courageous leader with a brilliant operational mind. She is sorely missed today, as she will always be. My sincere condolences go to her family: Thelma, Sharlton and Dennis. Democrats, the President mentioned the contribution of women to our democracy, during the State of the Nation Address on Thursday, I must emphasise that if we truly love this province, and our country, then we must confront one of a gravest moral crises facing us: the scourge of femicide,” he said.

Steenhuisen said no society can call itself free while women live in fear. He said combating violence against women and children must be a relentless national priority, enforced through effective, devolved policing in capable provinces, functioning courts and communities that refuse to look away.

“This province is also reeling from a state of disaster caused by massive flooding, the likes of which we haven’t seen for years here. It reminds us of the awesome power of nature, and the need to build climate resilient infrastructure to serve all the people here, and to protect the precious nature of this province.

“The work which Sarbie, and all of our public representatives’ professional staff and activists in this province, have been doing is worth continuing, even when that fight is hard,” said Steenhuisen.

He said one of the great strengths of the Democratic Alliance (DA) is that they practise what they preach. Steenhuisen said they hold elective congresses like this one, which are open, competitive, democratic, because we believe leadership must be earned.

“And it is precisely because of this culture of accountability that we have achieved so much over the past six years. As I said two weeks ago in Durban, when many people had written the DA’s political obituary, we chose a different path.

“In 2019, the headlines read: “Death of the DA.” That was what we inherited, and what we all had to build from. But together (through hard work, discipline, and belief) we did. Today, we stand as a party in national government, actually changing the course of South Africa’s history, according to our values as a party,” he said.

Steenhuisen said that none of that would have been possible without voters (ordinary South Africans) choosing delivery over excuses. He said even the President has acknowledged it that there the DA governs, things work better.

“If that still sounds abstract, look at the facts. South Africa is off the FATF grey list. IDs are being delivered through banks. We have record matric results, connectivity is expanding. Economic growth has grown, compared to the pre-GNU period. Though our economic gains are still green shoots, they are there and they must be nurtured because there is a lot more to be done.

“But friends, Mpumalanga knows better than most that national progress means nothing if provinces and municipalities are broken. Mpumalanga is a province of extraordinary importance to South Africa. It is home to our energy heartland, our forestry sector, our coal and mineral resources, and precious water catchment areas, from which much of South Africa drinks,” said Steenhuisen.

He said yet, for too long, this province has been held back by corruption, state capture, and governance collapse. Steenhuisen said during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday night, the President acknowledged the progress being made through the Government of National Unity: stabilising the economy, restoring investor confidence, and driving reform in key departments, most of which are DA led.

“I said after the speech, and I maintain, that most of the DA’s priorities, which have been relentlessly driving for years, were now highlighted. It shows the good work that the DA is doing in national government and the significant influence we are making.

“But where it fell short was on one critical issue: a clear, broad-based policy solution to lift millions of poor South Africans (especially black South Africans) out of poverty in a sustainable way,” he said.

Steenhuisen said for too long, empowerment policy in its current format has enriched a connected few, rather than expanding opportunity to the many. He said if they are serious about inclusive growth in provinces like Mpumalanga, they must move beyond narrow enrichment and focus on policies that create jobs, expand ownership widely and unlock real economic participation for all.

“The DA has tabled a solution. It’s called the Economic inclusion for all bill, and we are fighting for it to succeed in Parliament. The promise of a better South Africa, built on better choices, is within reach, here in Mpumalanga, and across the country. At a local level, the DA has shown that where it governs, it does so competently and efficiently.

“Unlocking the potential of Provinces like Mpumalanga depends on getting municipalities working again. That requires us offering the voters of this province a credible political alternative to the status quo, at local government level,” said Steenhuisen.

He said he is proud to say that the DA in Mpumalanga is ready to govern. Steenhuisen said it is great to see such confidence in the current leadership.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank your Leader and Chairperson for their commitment, dedication and courage. Leading is a calling, and I sense there are great things in store for this province. For those positions that are contested, I have every confidence that this delegation will select the best, strongest and most courageous members to take this province to new heights.

“As you prepare to announce the outcome of this election, I want to wish the new office bearers every success. I think that our leaders in the province, experienced as they are, know that strong, principled leadership at the local level is the foundation of a DA that can govern, deliver, and win,” he said.

Steenhuisen said they know that the challenges faced in Mpumalanga, at local level, are much the same elsewhere in the country. He said people want clean water in their taps, electricity that stays on.

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