MAKHADO – As political parties countrywide are preparing themselves for the 2004 general election campaigns, two prominent figures, Mr Mavhungu Piet Ramaligela of the ANC and Mr Kenny Mabogo from the UDM in Ward 7 of the Makhado Municipality, recently joined the DA.

According to Mr Timothy Maanda of the Democratic Alliance, the crossing of the floor by the two prominent leaders in Ward 7, shows confidence by the people in the DA, adding that it brings positive impact to the growing of the party in the ward. “We are still hoping to see further floor crossing in other wards of the Makhado Municipality and we are prepared to bring tremendous changes in that ward,” he said.

Maanda stressed that people are crossing the floor to the DA, because of lack of commitment by councillors of the ruling party and poor service delivery in their communities. “This is a clear indication that people are tired of being misled through empty promises, and most importantly, people are becoming more political mature, as they are now be able to realise that South Africans need a strong opposition to bring about service delivery,” he said.

Maanda added that the mass of followers from the UDM and the ANC who crossed the floor with their leaders are a combination of both youth and adults. “As the Democratic Alliance, our great principle is to embark on a campaign of telling people the truth, and the ruling party knows very well that we are a big threat in this coming election,” he claimed.