DA Youth Day Rally in Roodepan calls for political change ahead of by-elections

THE Democratic Alliance (DA) held its June 16 Youth Day commemorations in Roodepan on Monday, where leaders of the party addressed a modest crowd amid rising political tension ahead of crucial upcoming by-elections in Ward 1. The community, plagued by service delivery issues and high unemployment, became the focus of calls for transformation through political participation and generational change.

The event, framed as both a celebration and a rallying cry, featured passionate speeches from Zandile Zozo, a rising DA Youth Activist, and Harold McGluwa, DA Northern Cape Provincial Leader.

Zandile Zozo: 'We are the change we want to see'

Zandile Zozo delivered a hard-hitting and unapologetic speech, declaring that the political liberation fought for in 1976 must now evolve into a fight for competent governance. She urged the crowd to stop romanticising history at the expense of the present, stating, “We honour our historians as we should; nonetheless, we forget to honour ourselves.”

Zozo challenged the relevance of the ANC in modern South Africa, arguing that its identity remains tied to apartheid-era politics and racial division. “If apartheid never happened, the ANC would not exist. So why are they still so relevant 30 years post-democracy? Race,” she said, accusing the ruling party of using racial narratives to divide and rule.

She also questioned current government spending, pointing out that South Africans pay R1.1 billion daily to service national debt, a figure she attributed to poor financial governance. “The very people telling you to trust them are stealing from you,” Zozo exclaimed, urging residents to give the DA a chance to govern. “Give us one of the six terms you’ve given the ANC,” she said, asserting that the DA has a proven track record and zero corruption.

Ending her speech with a sense of urgency and empowerment, she reminded voters that political change starts with them. “I’m not here to beg for your vote. I’m here to bargain with you.”

Harold McGluwa: 'Freedom means nothing if there’s no opportunity'

Following Zozo, Harold McGluwa took the podium and delivered a speech that blended historical reflection with a critique of present-day realities. Marking the 49th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, McGluwa paid tribute to the youth who marched for equality and dignity. But he also questioned what their sacrifices have amounted to: “What does freedom mean in South Africa? Absolutely nothing,” he declared, pointing to youth unemployment and poverty as proof.

Citing an unemployment rate of over 40% in the Northern Cape and an economic growth rate of just 0.5%, McGluwa argued that the gains of democracy have not translated into meaningful improvement for ordinary South Africans, especially the youth. “Our young people are sending CV after CV, but there are no job opportunities,” he lamented.

McGluwa criticised what he termed as biased service delivery in the Northern Cape, claiming that residents who support the DA are excluded from job programmes and government benefits. “If you are a DA supporter, then you mean nothing,” he said.

He praised the DA’s young leaders programme, citing it as a platform for future leadership. “We want young people to become councillors, MPs, and MPLs,” he said. “If we don’t step up, Sol Plaatje will never recover.”

Encouraging residents to vote in the upcoming by-elections, McGluwa emphasised that the DA is ready to bring practical change. “Sol Plaatje is the biggest municipality in the Northern Cape’s capital. But if you look around, nothing has changed.”

Ward 1: The battleground

The speeches formed part of the DA’s strategic push in Roodepan, Ward 1, an area many consider to be an important ward. With service delivery failures, infrastructure neglect, and widespread dissatisfaction with local government, all eyes are on the upcoming by-elections, which could redefine political control in the municipality.

As the race intensifies between parties, the DA is positioning itself as the only viable alternative to what it calls “decades of broken promises".

Youth Day in Roodepan was not just about remembering the past; it was a call to action for the future. As both Zozo and McGluwa made clear, the stakes are high. With by-elections looming, the DA is betting that young voices and frustrated communities are ready to shift the tide.

Whether that shift will materialise at the ballot box remains to be seen.