Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille painted Mitchells Plain blue as she launched her campaign to lead the city for a second term.
The Democratic Alliance pulled out all its party tricks and there were drum rolls, blue confetti and even fireworks as De Lille walked into a packed Swartklip Indoor Sports Centre in Tafelsig to her signature Tina Turner song, Simply the Best, with thousands of bussed-in supporters cheering.
De Lille who is also the provincial leader of the Democratic Alliance, told mense she is ready to run against any candidate from the African National Congress in the upcoming local government elections.
ANC spokesperson Jabu Mfusi says they still have to go through an elective process to choose a contender before presenting that person to the National Executive Committee for approval.
De Lille was flanked by party leader Mmusi Maimane and Western Cape Premier Helen Zille, who were all smiles and handshakes as they made their way to the podium.
The trio wasted no time highlighting the “many failings” of president Jacob Zuma and the ruling ANC.
Referring to the Nkandla scandal, Zille told supporters the Constitutional Court and Public Protector Thuli Madonsela had “done the right thing” forcing Zuma to pay up for renovations done at his private home. She said voters must do the same by voting for a party that supports the Constitution.
Maimane also took a swipe at the turnout in Port Elizabeth on Saturday where the ANC launched its election manifesto.
“There were not even 100 000 people there, I tell you the only people who were there were friends and families of ministers,” he says.
He urged people to use their vote as an instrument of change, adding to loud cheers: “Today we are here to bury the ANC.”
De Lille says her job as mayor is not done yet, and asked for another five years.
Taking a brag, she says: “We have the lowest levels of unemployment, we have our Metro police going out to areas to keep them safe, we are the first city to take a stand and have an anti-racism campaign.
“If you do not believe in the values of the DA or those of the Constitution, then the ANC is waiting for you.”