DP LAUNCHES LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION CAMPAIGN

JOHANNESBURG Sept 13 Sapa

Democratic Party leader Tony Leon on Wednesday evening launched
the party's local government election campaign with strong
criticism of the African National Congress and National Party.

In remarks prepared for delivery, Leon said the ANC had failed
to meet its promise of a better life for all. Absenteeism, rushed
legislation and little governance had marked its time in power.

"After 17 months in parliament I've at last discovered what the
ANC really stands for. It means, if you look at their parliamentary
performance and certain ministerial incompetences, Absent,
Negligent, Chaotic.

"And if you look at the non-delivery of promises, of shrinking
jobs and of threatened freedoms, you will understand why the RDP
(reconstruction and development programme) under current management
stands for the Real Disappointment of the People."

Leon said the DP, as the only effective opposition, offered an
alternative through its Agenda for a Better Country.

Under this programme, it would offer communities municipal
policing and community operated crime prevention services; a
fair-deal programme for accountable local government with strong
action against those refusing to pay for services and "lifeline
tariffs" for those who could not afford them; and accountable,
businesslike, lean and efficient local government.

Municipalities would become investor friendly, with community
development banks to assist low earners and urban free enterprise
zones where certain levies would be abolished.

"We acknowledge we did badly last year," Leon said. "Equally we
vow to do better this time, provided the election rules are not
rigged or gerrymandered.

"And we have indeed revived ourselves, rebuilt our organisation
and decisively reformed our mission."

The DP will field 100 candidates, of which 57 are black, in the
greater Johannesburg area. It will contest 24 of the 32 Soweto
wards, 10 of the 12 Dobsonville seats and 14 of the 18 in
Alexandra. On the East Rand, it will contest 64 seats and 40 per
cent of its candidates are black.

Leon said the DP was not, as the cliched caricature portrayed,
"a party of white suburban matrons", but one representing South
Africa's rainbow society.

"Committed DP councillors in control of certain substructures
and as a vigilant opposition in others is just the ticket we need
to reah a truly democractic local destination," Leon said.