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Former COPE MP to stand in Makana

By

Mlindi Nhanha
Mlindi Nhanha

The DA in the Eastern Cape announced today that former COPE MP, Mlindi Nhanha, will stand as a councillor candidate for Makana Municipality.

The following remarks were made by DA councillor candidate, Mr Mlindi Nhanha, at a press briefing held earlier today:

Like any young person in the early 1980s, I was faced with a difficult decision that many of my peers had to confront at the time, either to submit to a repressive regime; or fight for change on all possible fronts.

I knew in my heart that change was necessary. I also knew that change brought with it many sacrifices.

I was involved in the struggle for political freedom and held leadership positions in a number of organizations such as COSAS, Alice Student Congress (Asco), Border Student Congress (Borsco), South African Youth Congress (SAYCO), ANCYL and the ANC.

After the ANC’s Polokwane Conference in 2008, it became clear in my mind that the ANC I had loved and served had lost its way.

I am, today, more confident that I was right when I consider the state of the ANC, and our country, under the leadership of Jacob Zuma.

I subsequently joined many of my colleagues in forming the Congress of the People (COPE) as an alternative to the corrupt ANC.

Through COPE I had the privilege of serving the people of South Africa as a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly (2009-2014).

Mid- way through my term as an MP; the Democratic Alliance and I, initiated discussions with the view to join the DA.

I already knew then, that the DA was our country’s only hope of stemming the rising tide of unemployment, stopping rampant corruption, and delivering the services our communities deserve.

My political journey has been long and diverse but has remained consistently rooted in the values of freedom, fairness and opportunity espoused by the DA today. South Africa was making progress under the ANC but that progress has stalled.

Our country’s institutions have become corrupt and the ANC is doing nothing to stop the corruption or create jobs for the millions of poor unemployed people of South Africa.

My home, Makana Municipality, has become a victim of the ANC’s neglect for far too long and I will not stand by while they continue to ignore the plight of our poorest residents and undermine the future of my children.

Today I know, as I did in the early 1980’s, that it is once again time for change.

I believe in my heart of hearts that the DA is the only party that can bring the change necessary to move South Africa forward again.

I look forward to being part of a dynamic and experienced DA team in Makana Municipality.

Through their hard work over the years, this DA team has held the ANC to account and more than doubled the DA’s share of the vote in Makana since 2009.

I am proud to announce that I am a DA candidate for the Makana Municipality in the 2016 local government elections.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.