Chapter One - Founding Provisions and Political Principles

1.1    NAME

1.1.1    The name of the Party is the Democratic Alliance.

1.1.2    The Democratic Alliance is a political party that will register for and participate in elections and in political activities in the national, provincial and local spheres of government in the Republic of South Africa.

1.2.    VISION

The Democratic Alliance’s vision is of a prosperous, Open Opportunity Society that is uniquely South African; in which every person is free, secure, and equal before the law; and in which everyone has the means to improve the quality of his life and pursue her own aspirations.

Our vision rests on the belief that:

South Africans can and must overcome the historic divisions of race and ethnicity, and unite in our diversity around a shared South African identity.

All South Africans are of equal worth and have a right to full participation in the life of our common South African society.

South Africa’s constitution is the only foundation on which an Open Opportunity Society can be built because it recognises that every person is equal in dignity and worth and guarantees the freedom of each individual.
The rights enshrined in the constitution must be defended and promoted in order to protect the people of South Africa from the concentration and abuse of power.

An independent and effective opposition that is loyal to the constitutional order is essential to the promotion and preservation of democracy and freedom in our country.

An independent and vibrant civil society is essential to the preservation of an open society, because it acts as a bulwark against any attempt by the state or the ruling party to impose a hegemony of thought and truth over society.

The dignity of every person and the freedoms enshrined in the constitution cannot fully be realised unless everyone has the means to pursue his own happiness and improve the quality of her life. Consequently, the creation of meaningful opportunity must be central to the programme of government at every level.

The force behind the growing prosperity of any society is a socially and environmentally responsible free enterprise economy driven by choices, risks and hard work. Without the growth in prosperity created through the exercise of the market economy there can be no opportunity, freedom loses it purpose and choices become increasingly limited.

No one must be left behind in an opportunity society. The government must therefore provide access to education and training, and promote the progressive realisation of access to social security, housing and healthcare for those who through no fault of their own are unable to provide for themselves

1.3    PRINCIPLES

The vision of the Democratic Alliance is grounded on the defence, promotion and extension of the following principles:

1.3.1    the fundamental rights and freedoms of every person - including the right to freedom of conscience, speech, association, and movement;

1.3.2    the rejection of unfair discrimination on any grounds;

1.3.3    the supremacy of the South African constitution and the rule of law;

1.3.4    the language, cultural and religious rights of individuals and the communities they create through free association;

1.3.5     equality before the law;

1.3.6     the separation of legislative, executive and judicial power.

1.3.7     a judiciary that is independent;

1.3.8     elections that are regular, free and fair;

1.3.9     representative and accountable government elected on the basis of universal adult suffrage;

1.3.10   the devolution of power to locate government as close as possible to the people;

1.3.11   the clear division between the ruling party and the state;

1.3.12   respect for the right or a vibrant civil society and a free media to function independently;

1.3.13   the rejection of violence and intimidation as a political instrument;

1.3.14   the right of all people to private ownership and to participate freely in the market economy;

1.3.15   the progressive realisation of access to housing, health services and social security for all people who are unable to help themselves;

1.3.16   the protection and conservation of the environment;

1.3.17   the right of all people to protection by the state from crime and violence;

1.3.18   access to education and training.

1.4    MISSION STATEMENT

As a proud South African loyal to the constitution, I commit myself to serve with integrity the people of my country by building a party that is home to all South Africans, makes a visible difference to the lives of our people and promotes an Open Opportunity Society in which every person is free, secure, equal before the law and has the means to improve the quality of his or her life.

1.5.    PROGRAMME OF ACTION

1.5.1    The Party will promote its growth in all communities with the intention of realising its vision and advancing its principles either as government or opposition in all spheres.

1.5.2    The programme of action must include provisions aiming at, but not be limited to, the following:
1.5.2.1    serving the needs of the people of South Africa through the structures and resources of the Party;

1.5.2.2    endeavouring to gain control of governments in all spheres of government;

1.5.2.3    being an effective government when in power;

1.5.2.4    being an effective opposition when not in government;

1.5.2.5    holding its public representatives to account.

1.5.3    The Party must seek to co-operate with those on the African continent who share its passion for freedom, dignity, equality and democracy

1.6    LEGAL PERSONALITY AND POWERS

1.6.1 The Party is a body corporate with perpetual succession.

1.6.2    The Party is capable of suing and being sued in its own name and it may own, purchase, sell, hire, lease, mortgage, pledge or in any other way acquire, alienate or deal with movable and immovable property and may perform all legal activities authorized by this Constitution and by the Provincial Constitutions as well as legal activities normally associated with a body corporate.

1.6.3    The Party shall only be legally bound in the exercise of its    competencies set out in clause 1.6.2 by a person or persons authorized by a resolution of the competent formation of the Party: Provided that

1.6.3.1    a Branch or Branch Committee and a Constituency or a Constituency Committee shall be competent to act on behalf of and legally bind the Party only if such competency is granted by the relevant Provincial Constitution and only if such Branch or Branch Committee or Constituency or Constituency Committee is authorized to act in writing by the relevant Provincial or Regional Executive;

1.6.3.2    a Provincial Executive or Regional Executive shall be competent to act on behalf of and legally bind the Party but only to the extent necessary to exercise the functions and achieve the goals of the Party at provincial or regional level respectively, subject however to budgetary constraints and financial limitations which the Federal Executive may impose from time to time;

1.6.3.3    the Federal Executive represented by the Chairperson of the Federal Council may act on behalf of and legally bind the Party in all matters;

1.6.3.4    no other member or formation of the Party than such as set out in (1), (2) and (3) above may act on behalf of and legally bind the Party.

1.6.4    The Chairperson of the Federal Executive or someone authorized by him or her represents the Party in all legal proceedings by or against the Party.

1.6.5    All monies received and collected in the name of the Party vest in the Party itself.

1.6.6    Income and assets of the Party are not distributable to members or office bearers except as reasonable compensation for services rendered.

“Everywhere the DA governs, we do it better!”

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