South Africa's opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) on Monday launched its economic policy which aims at an 8 percent increase in growth per year and six million jobs in 10 years.

"The DA's economic policy will bring change and jobs to South Africa," DA leader Helen Zille said in a statement issued at a press conference here.

Since the day President Zuma took office, 1.4 million South Africans have joined the ranks of the unemployed and the number of people becoming unemployed every year is now five times higher than under former President Thabo Mbeki, Zille said.

"But research published by the South African Reserve Bank in 2013 shows that policies like the DA's can increase economic growth to 8 percent, help the economy to create 6 million real jobs, and halve unemployment over the next ten years," Zille said.

She said a DA government would accelerate economic growth by expanding opportunities for South Africans to participate in the economy and for businesses to invest, grow and trade more, particularly with the rest of Africa.

According to Zille, more than one out of every four South Africans are unemployed and around four out of every 10 live below the poverty line.

"Ours remains one of the most unequal societies in the world and we are not achieving the levels of economic growth required to change this picture," Zille said.

There are many constraints to growth in South Africa, but underpinning them all is the fact that too many of South Africans are left out of the economy and are unable to make a contribution to driving growth because they can't find work; they can't access skills; they can't start businesses; and they lack capital assets, Zille claimed.

She said the Apartheid government built an economy of insiders and outsiders by denying millions of South Africans access to economic opportunities.

"But we still live with this legacy today," Zille said.

The DA's economic plan will help to break down the barriers between the insiders and outsiders, she said.

Speaking on the same occasion, DA Federal Chairperson Wilmot James said the DA would allow workers to vote on strike action so as to ensure that labor unions think twice before calling a strike.

"One key thing for example is around strike balloting. It's too easy to strike in this country- we should make it more difficult, particularly in sectors that are critical to society like education and health," said James.

The DA's economic policy was launched as the party is gearing up to challenge the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in the upcoming elections on May 7.

As a dominant political party, the ANC is set to win the elections with over 60 percent of the electoral support, although its popularity is declining.

The DA is determined to keep the Western Cape and will try to take control of Gauteng Province, the economic hub of the country. Endi

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