Mr Speaker, the DA convincingly won a by-election held yesterday in Makhado, Ward 5, Olifantshoek and Tiyani Village. [Applause.] This is the first-ever resounding victory by the DA in the deep rural areas in the province.
The victory marks a decisive increase from 1,46% in the 2011 local government election to 38,85% in yesterday's by-election. [Applause.] If there ever was an unequivocal endorsement that more and more people are coming to the DA, yesterday's by-election was exactly that and more. People in Ward 5 have set the politics of realignment on an irreversible trajectory in Limpopo. This is a watershed victory for the DA in the province, but, significantly, it augurs well for the coming 2014 general election.
In this deep rural area, traditionally an ANC stronghold, the communities have demonstrated their dissatisfaction about poor service delivery. The DA is now the party of choice. The ANC is losing its grip. People will no longer be cowed by the ANC's disparaging lies about the DA in government. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the communities of Ward 5, Olifantshoek and Tiyani Village, who went in their numbers to vote for the DA. Special mention of gratitude must go to the DA activists who worked tirelessly to make sure that the DA won this ward. Thank you very much. [Applause.]