DA optimistic about its prospects ahead of elective conference

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says its Federal Congress this weekend could in all likelihood pick the country’s next president. Over the weekend the country’s biggest opposition party will be electing leaders that will take it to the 2024 general elections.

The party will this weekend elect a new leader in Midrand, Johannesburg, and make a pronouncement on a new policy proposal.

Steenhuisen and Mpho Phalatse will contest for the top position. The DA’s highest decision-making body will also be elected.

Federal Presiding Officer, Greg Crumbok says polls show that the DA could overtake the ANC on the ballot next year.

“This congress is very important because opinion polls constantly reflecting the ruling party under 40%. Very often as has happened in Rapport and the Social Research Foundation polling which indicated that the DA has taken over and has overtaken the ANC in urban areas. We could very well be electing the next President of the country. At this congress this weekend, selecting our presidential candidate because with only 11% in all these polls confirmed by the ANC our polling between us and the ANC is now very very close and the likelihood of no party getting an outright majority next year is very very much on the cards.”

VIDEO | State of readiness press briefing ahead of DA Congress: 

Electoral system

The DA has insisted that the integrity of its electoral processes is beyond reproach and guarantees a secret ballot. The electoral system has come under the spotlight after concerns were raised by federal leader candidate, Mpho Phalatse, about the credibility and secrecy of the elections system.

The party will be electing its leaders this weekend in Johannesburg at its Federal Congress.

Crumbok says, ” We use OPA vote and we have been using it for the past four years in previous federal congress and has been used in various caucuses around the country to conduct elections including the City of Johannesburg. So we believe it’s a proven system, and in all those years we have never had a problem with the integrity and secrecy of the voting system.”

N Cape supports Steenhuisen

Meanwhile, the DA in the Northern Cape says John Steenhuisen is its preferred candidate for the position of federal leader.

The DA provincial leader, Harold McGluwa says, “Since 2019 John took the party and set us back on solid ground as he reaffirmed his commitment to the party’s values and principles. John is a person who leads from the front. He can be trusted and he deserves the position of federal leader. I indeed have full trust in John, and my vote will certainly goes to John Steenhuisen.”