JOHANNESBURG, Feb 18 — The Democratic Alliance (DA), the leading opposition party in the current South African Parliament, has launched its economic policy which it says can lead to 8.0 per cent economic growth and the creation of six million jobs ahead of national and local elections in May.

The DA, which has 67 seats in the 400-seat National Assembly (lower house of Parliament), said Monday that it would accelerate economic growth by expanding opportunities for all South Africans to participate in the economy, and for businesses to invest and trade more with the rest of Africa.

DA Federal Chairperson Wilmot James also said that by allowing workers to vote on strike action, labour unions might think twice before calling a strike.

“One key thing for example is around strike balloting. It’s too easy to strike in this country — we should make it more difficult, particularly in sectors that are critical to society like education and health,” said James.

Earlier DA leader Helen Zille confirmed that she would be her party’s presidential candidate in this year’s elections.

Late last month it was announced that anti-apartheid activist Mamphela Ramphele, who formed a new political party Agang South Africa, a year ago, would be the DA’s presidential candidate but a few days after the announcement, Ramphele said she would not stand on the DA ticket, but would instead lead Agang SA in the elections as its presidential candidate.

Source: SABC