"We have always stood for truth, freedom and reconciliation. We fought apartheid, and we are working tirelessly now for a better future for South Africa," Zille told a Democratic Alliance rally in Mzimkhulu in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday.
Zille commended local councillor Jabulani Chiya who left the African National Congress and joined her party.
She said there were many people like Chiya across the country who wanted their lives to improve.
"They want the best for their families and children. But many of these pioneers are intimidated and are told that if they do not vote for the ANC they will be betraying the history of the struggle for freedom," she said.
"That is why the DA recently launched the 'Know Your DA' campaign to tell South Africans that supporting us is no betrayal of the past."
Zille reminded the crowd that "a man of principle", Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, on Friday wrote an opinion piece carried by the Mail & Guardian in which he said he would not vote for the ANC at the next election. – Sapa