There is a clear choice between leadership under the DA and under the ANC on every major issue facing our citizens today. Take the economy, for example. Since the hon President took his oath of office in 2009, 2,2 million more South Africans have joined the ranks of the unemployed. The President's endless preoccupation with placating his Cosatu allies has cost the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs through the youth wage subsidy. During his time in office, South Africa has experienced one of the lowest gross domestic product, GDP, growth rates in our peer group - recently downgraded from 3% to 2%. This is completely out of step with growth rates in other middle-income countries like Thailand, Indonesia and Chile, whose GDP growth averages over 5%.
Gauteng is the economic heartland of South Africa, consisting of 34% of the country's GDP. But there are two million people who are out of work in Gauteng. This means that 30% of the labour force cannot find work or have given up looking, 481 000 more than when the President took office in 2009. This is why we say a vote for the ANC is a vote for more unemployment. [Interjections.] The DA is working hard to win Gauteng to get the province back to work. [Interjections.]
A growing and inclusive economy also depends on fixing our broken education system. Providing a decent education for every child is more than just a virtuous goal. It is a fundamental human right. But President Zuma has failed to push for higher standards in education and training in South Africa to survive and prosper in a fast-changing world. Since the President has come to office, the quality of the South African education system has declined from 110th to 140th out of 144 countries in the World Economic Forum's rankings.
The hon President has also failed to improve South Africa's notorious ranking as the second worst country in the world for quality of maths and science education. This is why we say a vote for the ANC is a vote for a broken education system. [Interjections.]
The Northern Cape in particular has suffered from poor governance in education. The education system nearly collapsed in the John Taolo District Municipality last year. The Acting Premier, Grizelda Cjiekella, stood by powerless, while children were prevented from going to school by members of the community who were protesting about the poor delivery of services. Schoolchildren missed four months of education in Olifantshoek and other towns. Under the leadership of a DA premier in the Northern Cape, we will fix the education system. [Applause.]
The rapid growth of the DA amongst people from all walks of life means that the new politics of change in South Africa is upon us. Last week, we were delighted to support the ANC's motion to debate the inspirational Know Your DA campaign right here in Parliament.
South Africa won democracy and freedom not in spite of liberalism, but because of the bravery of liberals in overcoming the soul-crushing legacy of apartheid. Ours is the noble legacy of Selby Msimang, one of the 1912 founders of the ANC, who co-founded the Liberal Party; of Jordan Ngubane, the editor of Inkundla ya Bantu, who eventually left the ANC to take up the liberal cause after helping to position Inkosi Albert Luthuli to become the ANC President; ours is the history of Helen Suzman, who worked tirelessly in Parliament to expose the worst excesses of the apartheid government; and it is of Tony Leon's Democratic Party, which played a major role in co- crafting our liberal democratic Constitution based on nonracialism, equality and tolerance.
As I look across to the government benches, I know there are Ministers who identify with those values. Our daily politics may be divided, but we share similar principles. When hon Lindiwe Sisulu's valiant attempts to establish an anticorruption bureau are mocked by the President's conduct, she must know that only this side of the House shares her determined resolve to end corruption. [Applause.] When the hon Gordhan's relentless struggle to lock in economic stability is rocked daily by the President's dithering, he must realise that his vision can only be implemented by an alternative government. [Applause.] The hon Pandor, who has spent years fighting for education reform, only to have her efforts repeatedly frustrated by Cosatu, she too must know in her heart that with our track record the DA is most likely to raise education standards to prepare South Africa for a changed world. [Applause.]
This is the time for members of the governing party who love this country to consider their response to this tragic conflict of loyalty. Every leader in history is tested by how they rise to unpredicted events and trials. Today the truth needs to be set out clearly.
In the life of a democratic nation, rarely has a leader been so personally responsible for setting into motion a chain of crises as our President. Every major crisis of the past year could have been avoided if the President had exercised principled and selfless leadership.
And so, today, I would like to appeal directly to the governing party to spare our country any future damage by not nominating President Zuma to contest the 2014 election. [Applause.] South Africa cannot afford one more wasted year. If we are consigned to another six years of failed leadership, South Africa may never recover the lost ground. Hon colleagues, for the sake of South Africa, today let us unite across party lines and vote against the Presidency Budget. I thank you. [Interjections.] [Applause.]