Former DA provincial leader Andrew Louw was announced as the provincial chairperson of ActionSA in the Northern Cape at the party’s provincial launch at the Mayibuye Cultural Centre in Kimberley.
FORMER DA provincial leader Andrew Louw was announced as the provincial chairperson of ActionSA in the Northern Cape at the party’s provincial launch at the Mayibuye Cultural Centre in Kimberley.
Supporters wearing their green T-shirts greeted him with whistles and cheers at Monday’s launch.
A couple of supporters stated that they were from Roodepan and indicated that they had previously voted for the DA.
“Roodepan is a forgotten part of the city and the sewage is always running down the road unattended. It is as if no one cares about us, we also want houses,” they said.
Louw stated that it was not possible to indicate how many members had signed up so far.
“We have embarked on a campaign trail and still need to sit down and do the sums. The people who attended the launch on Monday were not parachuted in from out of town. I am excited to continue the work of fixing the Northern Cape under a different vehicle and political home.
“I thought that I was done with politics but politics is not done with me. Service delivery in Galeshewe and Kimberley is pathetic to say the least. It is beyond my comprehension why the ANC cannot fire useless people at Sol Plaatje Municipality who are receiving exorbitant salaries.”
Louw explained that he had resigned from the DA last month as he no longer identified with the party.
“A party that was once unwavering in its pursuit to unseat the ANC has softened to the ruling party since the Ramaphosa presidency. I joined ActionSA because I believe it is committed to finishing the work of unseating the ANC.”
He added that he would take on the mammoth task of leading the Northern Cape out of corruption and mismanagement of state resources into a new age of compassion and good governance.
“If people want to join ActionSA because they are disgruntled DA members, this is the wrong place for them. Everywhere in the country, people are ‘gatvol’ for the ANC. We have hardcore ANC members who are here today. We are excited to usher in a government that cares for its people and creates jobs.
“The people who are at the launch are unemployed not because they are lazy or have not bothered to look for work but because they are not politically connected. We want people who are here by choice, who don’t mind getting their hands dirty.”
ActionSA president Herman Mashaba stated that they would target the 25 million eligible voters in South Africa who were not registered to vote.
“Even if we get 25 percent of the 25 million voter population, we will manage to hit the ANC and the DA will lose support. We are targeting the 25 million people who have lost hope,” he said.
Mashaba said that he expected more high-profile DA members in the Northern Cape to walk over to ActionSA in the near future.
“The DA is a low-hanging fruit as we share similar values to some extent, it is just the leadership that differs. The DA has good human beings who are committed to South Africa. When Louw approached us, we asked him when we could sign him up when he availed himself to the party.”
Mashaba added that they intended to form coalitions with opposition parties.
“Over my dead body, will we enter into coalitions with the ANC. It will be unrealistic to expect an outright win in 2024. However, it is a myth that the ANC cannot be unseated. We will be the second biggest party, we are not in the game to be an opposition. We are here to govern – that is when we can make a difference.”
