The Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Friday that its manifesto launch, ahead of the 2024 national elections, would not be symbolic, but that it would be a “genuine statement of intent”.

The party will launch its manifesto in Pretoria on Saturday and will see DA supporters march to the Union Buildings, where DA leader John Steenhuisen will address the crowd.

Following a lukewarm response to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SoNA) on Thursday night, the DA said its manifesto would not be a set of empty promises, but rather a “well-researched”, "data-driven” document that zeros in on ways to cut wasteful expenditure, open the electricity sector to private enterprise for stable supply, invest in education and create an environment for economic growth.

The party believes its manifesto launch will be the biggest in South Africa’s political history and hopes to use its vision to “rescue South Africa”.

“In the last five years, we have witnessed the decay and decline of South Africa. President Ramaphosa’s promises, particularly on ending loadshedding, have proven to be nothing but empty rhetoric. The numbers paint a grim picture – rising poverty, swelling unemployment queues, and corruption reaching unprecedented levels. 'Tintswalo', the child of democracy, is not living the dream promised by the ANC. The hope of a ‘New Dawn’ has faded into a dusk of despair. Our children are starving, crime is rampant, and our health system is crumbling,” the party said.

It said the upcoming election would be a reset for South Africa.

The DA said its manifesto was created on a foundation of new research and new economic thinking for practical and workable solutions to solve the country’s challenges.

The DA said its Multi-Party Charter with fellow political cohorts was the government in waiting.

“As President Ramaphosa delivered his last SoNA, we bid farewell to an era of stagnation. It’s time for a new government, a government led by the Democratic Alliance, a government that will put the people first. The DA’s manifesto launch is not just an event, it’s a historic moment, a rallying cry for change,” the party said.