Political parties should not create unrealistic expectations, Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Mulder said on Saturday.
”The DA [Democratic Alliance], for example, the last time it created the impression that it was going to win the election, but it lost to the ANC. This creates disillusion among voters who feel that they have lost and therefore don’t vote again.”
Mulder was speaking at the end of his party’s election campaign in Kempton Park.
He urged FF+ supporters to vote, not because they believe the party will win, but to strengthen it.
”The reality of the situation is that the ANC is going to win these elections,” Mulder said. ”People must vote to strengthen the FF+, to increase its influence and lobbying power so that it can put pressure on government.”
He said in order to survive, it is very important that the FF+ adapts to its changing surroundings and adopts new strategies.
”We need to play the role of the watchdog but also be part of the solution, because when the South African ship sinks, we will all go down with it.”
The party said lack of experience, expertise and the size of the municipalities are at the centre of poor service delivery.
”I think the six megacities have become too big to enable government to reach the people. The idea was created by idealism in 2002, but I think it’s time that it is relooked at.” — Sapa