The newly-elected leadership team of the Democratic Alliance’s Western Cape branch has expressed its backing for Mmusi Maimane in his candidacy for party leader.
Just under 1 000 people, including delegates, party supporters and journalists, were present at His Peoples Church in Goodwood, Cape Town for the DA’s Western Cape provincial congress on Saturday.
The Western Cape delegates of the party were due to vote in a new party leader for the province, as well as candidates for six other positions.
Cape Town mayor Patricia De Lille won the position of DA Western Cape provincial leader with 69% of the vote, to her counterpart Lennit Max’s 31%.
Maimane, the DA’s current parliamentary leader, also addressed the sea of blue on Saturday in an early morning address, reaffirming his intent to run for party leader.
I will ask my colleagues to put up their hands: who will join me in supporting Mmusi Maimane
Speaking to the media following the reading of the provincial results, the newly-assembled Western Cape leadership team were quizzed by journalists on the topic of Maimane’s candidacy for party leader.
“I definitely will support Mmusi Maimane,” said DA Western Cape chairperson Anton Bredell.
“In the DA it’s a democratic process, so my colleagues will be allowed to decide which teams they will support after the closing of the candidates. But, I believe Mmusi has the potential and the talent to be a fantastic national leader, to take over as national leader.”
“I’ve got a challenge, and I will ask my colleagues to put up their hands: who will join me in supporting Mmusi Maimane?” Bredell asked.
At that point, every member of the new DA Western Cape leadership put up their hands, seemingly surprising even themselves, much to the humour of everyone present.
“We will also convene a meeting with all our delegates going to the national congress in May, and we’ll invite Mmusi Maimane and all the candidates who must still be nominated to come and speak to the delegates and explain to us what they can offer,” De Lille added.
Earlier on Saturday, Maimane released a statement officially accepting the nomination to stand as the DA’s leader, saying it is his chance to “restore hope” in the country’s future.
Related articles: Mmusi Maimane, by sabcnewsonline
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