The Democratic Alliance has released a sweeping economic blueprint aimed at breaking what it calls “structural blockages” holding South Africa back after years of stagnation. The party warns that under the current balance of power its ability to drive reform is limited, urging voters to strengthen its hand.

DA leader, John Steenhuisen, unveiled the plan earlier this month.

The plan targets six areas. It calls for scrapping B-BBEE in favour of a non-racial, SDG-linked empowerment model, cutting red tape for small firms, easing licensing, and auditing race-based development finance institutions. Energy proposals include splitting Eskom into separate units, ending bailouts, expanding renewables, and ringfencing municipal electricity revenues.

On logistics, the DA wants freight rail and ports opened to capable private operators, cheaper input tariffs, and faster broadband with free public Wi-Fi. It cites the collapse in freight volumes from 226 million tonnes in 2017 to 152 million in 2023 as evidence of urgent need. Fiscal repair measures would impose a three-month spending review, a fiscal rule, and strict payroll audits to eliminate “ghost workers.”

The party also proposes stabilising coalitions, merit-based municipal hiring, and devolving policing powers to capable authorities, supported by an Anti-Corruption Commission and anti-extortion operations. It estimates crime is costing the economy around 10% of GDP.

Framing the reforms as essential for growth, jobs, and public safety, the DA says the cost of inaction will be “more lost years” for the country’s economy and its people.

It remains to be seen whether the party will be able to build support for its reforms in the Government of National Unity (GNU). A lens on these proposals reveals the importance of institutional reform for long-term economic renewal.