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The Democratic Alliance Youth (DA Youth), which came officially into being in late 2008, was first led by Makashule Gana until 2013, Mbali Ntuli led between 2013 and 2014, Yusuf Cassim led from 2014 to 2018 and Luyolo Mphithi led from 2018 to 2022. The party says that it is committed to ensuring that those entitled to land receive it in the form of direct ownership, and not as lifelong tenants. In contrast, President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the R3500 per month (R20 an hour) minimum wage was still not a living wage, and would only "advance the struggle for a living wage".
The party also supports a universal old age pension, and the abolishment of pension means tests. In addition, to aid with youth development skills, the party proposed a R6000 opportunity voucher or twelve month community service programme to all high school matriculants. The party also supports legislation that would require the legal guardians of children living in poverty to ensure that their child attends 85 per cent of school classes, and undergoes routine health check-ups.
Following the election of Geordin Hill-Lewis as Federal Leader in April 2026, the DA intensified its focus on crime, with Hill-Lewis describing crime as a national crisis negroni quotes and saying that South Africans could not be truly free if they did not feel safe in their homes, schools and businesses. The party adopted a resolution declaring farm attacks and murders as hate crimes at its 2020 Federal Congress. The DA strongly opposed the disbandment of the Scorpions crime investigation unit, and similar efforts to centralise the police service such as the nationwide disbandment of specialised Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) units. In addition, the party announced its support for a prison labour programme, which would put prisoners to work in various community upliftment programmes.
Social development
- The DA's education programme, "Preparing for Success", focuses on providing adequate physical and human resources to underperforming schools.
- The DA has been against the introduction of a national minimum wage, arguing that workers should be allowed to accept a wage of less than R3500 on their own terms.
- White voters constitute the largest single demographic group within the party's support base at 43.4%, followed by Coloured voters at 19.6%, Black voters at 18%, and Indian voters at 8.9%.
- This campaign focused mainly on the role played by a few key individuals in opposing apartheid – particularly Helen Suzman and Helen Zille.
- The party also supports legislation that would require the legal guardians of children living in poverty to ensure that their child attends 85 per cent of school classes, and undergoes routine health check-ups.
- The Democratic Alliance is often accused by its critics in the media, and rival political parties, of being a "white party" although polling indicates that more than half (56.6%) of their support base is non-white.
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Get a complete overview of your body condition with detailed health metrics and trends. Track every movement with precision and get detailed insights into your daily activities. New law to be called Punjab’s Control of Habitual Offenders and Anti-Social Behaviour Bill 2026.
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The DA has been against the introduction of a national minimum wage, arguing that workers should be allowed to accept a wage of less than R3500 on their own terms. This fits into the party's broader vision of growing the economy by cutting red tape and regulations it claims is holding back South Africa's economic growth. The party suggests that by relaxing certain regulations in these zones, manufacturers and exporters would be able to grow faster and employ more people. The DA also supports the creation of Industrial Development Zones and Export Processing Zones. The DA supports an inflation-targeting monetary policy regime similar to that of the ANC government.
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It was built over many years by leaders who each strengthened this party in different ways, often in difficult times, and against the prevailing tide. A legacy of leadership The Democratic Alliance did not become the party it is today by accident. Johannesburg is a city of incredible people and untapped potential. When municipalities collapse, crime thrives. Welcome to the DA’s dedicated page for our role in the Government of National Unity (GNU). Law enforcement official Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi reportedly also accused the party Spokesperson on State Security, Dianne Kohler Barnard, of being a part of a crime syndicate.
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Other fiscal interventions have included a proposed scrapping of value added tax (VAT) on books and tax rebates for crime prevention expenditure by businesses. This is evident in the party's previous alternative budget frameworks, with both alternative budgets posting deficits. The party's health policy also plans to devote more resources to vaccinations against common childhood illnesses. The DA's "Quality Care for All" programme is focused on tackling the country's high HIV/AIDS infection rate.
Four men, girl killed after armed men open fire in Qila Abdullah; another 4 men die as rival Bugti factions trade fire over marriage proposal. Injuries reported from Dadyal; Mirpur and Bhimber witness peaceful protests; teargas used to disperse people at Muzaffarabad’s Airport Chowk.
