Mmusi Maimane says the DA has grown and unlike in the past, it’s now a reflection of a democratic SA.

SOWETO - Democratic Alliance(DA) leader Mmusi Maimane says just as his party has grown beyond people's expectations, next week's poll results will also catch many by surprise.

Maimane delivered his final election campaign speech at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto today.

He says the DA has grown and unlike in the past, it's now a reflection of a democratic South Africa.

Maimane says his party has disappointed those who thought it had reached a ceiling.

"They said to us before: it would be impossible for the DA to grow and the DA can't grow past a certain point. But when I look out here, I realise that these are South Africans who want change."

The DA leader says he's confident the party will grow even more, adding that people are realising it's the only party that can advance the lives of South African.

WATCH: Final DA rally fills up Dobsonville Stadium

ZUMA-GUPTA RELATIONSHIP

Maimane has once again criticised President Jacob Zuma's relationship with the Gupta family, saying his party does not give jobs to friends, family or those who are politically connected.

He's urged Soweto residents to not feel obliged to vote for the African National Congress (ANC), saying it's no longer the party that Nelson Mandela fought for.

Maimane says he too voted for the ANC but says things have changed and the party no longer carries forward the values Mandela fought for.

The DA leader says his party is able to provide better services because political affiliations are not important.

"We don't give jobs to friends, family and politically connected people. Political affiliations don't matter in the DA. What is most important is that we are able to do the job."

He says the ANC is losing power and if South Africans want change, especially in the major metros and municipalities, they must vote for the DA on Wednesday.

At the same time, the DA's mayoral candidate for Nelson Mandela Bay Athol Trollip says he believes the party can win in what was once an ANC stronghold.

Trollip says the vote in Port Elizabeth will be close but he's confident many residents are ready for change.

"The Eastern Cape has been a stronghold of the ANC for many years, so when they lose Nelson Mandela Bay, it's going to have a profound impact on the ANC and will certainly mean the end of Jacob Zuma."