While I believe that many simply vote along racial lines I am pleased to see that COPE now offer an alternative to the ANC. If nothing else we can hope that it leaves government a little more open than what we’ve come to expect or as we fear.

Regarding Dr Dandala, I just don’t trust the guy. And I think it was a HUGE mistake for COPE to elect him as their presidential candidate. Though, not as big a mistake as electing Jacob Zuma.

Regarding the DA, of COURSE Helen is going to rag on the ANC all the time. There is a lot they do wrong. Their biggest mistake being electing JZ as the ANC president and Julius ‘Dumbass’ Malema as head of the Youth League. Nevermind the fact that they have several criminals on their election list. She has every right to bag them because they have no ethics. She also has every right to express the positive things the DA are doing. They have done awesome things in Cape Town. She was also elected world mayor of the year because of it. She also calls people out for the stupid / corrupt things they do.

Thanks for your input. Sure the DA has to point out what the ANC has to say. Not debating the role of the opposition. But as a fairly busy, reasonably ADD voter, I don’t scrutinise EVERY policy and wach EVERY debate. Like I said, it’s easy as the DA to criticise because they have not yet had the burden of delivery to be measured by.

Like I said, I like Helen Zille. I like what she has to say. I like her attitude. But check her Twitter account and tell me how often she makes comparisons and negative observations with the ANC, and how often she speaks about how the DA has delivered.

Regarding Dr Dandala, aren’t you being just a little judgmental yourself? Have you read his policies? Done your homework on him? How you met the man? (I have, incidentally). Do you know where he stands on the issues you are concerned about? Just curious. Because of your obvious aversion to religion you’ve written him off right off the bat.

By the way, as it stands I’m voting DA. Just so you know.

@Anthony – thanks for your response and the links – I like the Ten Commitments piece. Like I said – I like you – it’s just that much of what I hear in the media is, as I put it, anklebiting. I never said “that the DA never says what it will do to resolve a problem”. I simply intimated that the focus has come across as reactive to the ANC, not proactive in terms of what the DA plans to do – you have kindly shown me resources that prove otherwise.

All that said, policies and promises are one thing, and execution is another. The ANC have been in power – so all their strengths and weaknesses are exposed and more. The DA and Cope can make promises bedonderd but the proof is always in the eating. I guess I’m being defensive against my tendency to “fall in love” with the ideal. I hope and pray the DA is what is says it is, and can do what it says it can do, if I am to cast my vote with you.

Hope that makes sense.