By Obakeng Maje
The Democratic Alliance is pleased to announce that we have accepted a public endorsement from Abahlali Basemjondolo for the upcoming elections. 

Abahlali is the biggest and most influential shack dwellers’ movement in the country whose campaigns are largely geared towards improving the living conditions of the poor. 

“The DA has travelled a long road with Abahlali; particularly under the stewardship of eThekwini housing spokesperson Hlanganani Gumbi who first made contact with them two years ago as chairperson of the DA eThekwini Housing Task Team” DA Sizwe Mchunu said. 

Gumbi took the initiative to engage with Abahlali as a key stakeholder in housing developments within informal settlements across Durban so that they could become an integral component of the party’s source of reference and network in these areas. 

At the time, Abahlali noted that the DA was the only political party to engage them in such a manner. 

“Over the past two years, Gumbi has configured many bilateral meetings between the DA and Abahlali; particularly when it came to housing corruption in eThekwini, the lack of transparent housing allocations in the city as well as Abahlali’s “No land, no house, no vote” campaign”. 

Throughout many of these discussions, we have both come to the common conclusion that we need to strengthen our resolve to:  

·Fight housing tender corruption

·Fight housing allocations corruption

·Speed up housing delivery

·Increase community participation and communication within projects 

·Ensure all land evictions are done within the confines of the law

·Treat informal settlement residents with the dignity they are entitled to 
Abahlali boast a national membership of over 27 000 people and are going to add considerable weight to final leg of the DA’s election campaign. 

The DA said they continues to show growth amongst traditional ANC supporters who have been let down by Jacob Zuma’s corrupt ANC.

“Voters are coming to the DA because we have a plan to stop corruption, create jobs and improve service delivery” Mchunu said. 

“We are deeply humbled and ecstatic over this public endorsement and will work tirelessly with Abahlali’s president S’bu Zikode to fight corruption so that there can be delivery for all” he said. 

Abahlali have taken a brave step in this realignment of South African politics and DA said that with no doubt that their opponents will respond both harshly and critically to this move. 

“Nevertheless, Abahlali must remain strong and committed to the realization of the better life we have all dreamed of since 1994. Together we will move forward with Abahlali on this new journey for change” he concludes. -TDN
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