DA’s Maimane, James to face off in debate

Democratic Alliance Parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane and Federal Chairperson Wilmot James who are both running for the leadership of the Democratic Alliance (DA) will face each other in public debates.

This was revealed when the two rivals addressed the DA’s KwaZulu-Natal elective congress in Richard’s Bay on Saturday.

It is not clear yet if the other two candidates – Adrian Naidoo and Morgan Olifant – who have also joined the race will be part of the public debates.

Maimane and James shared the stage for the first time since they both confirmed that they will run for the leadership of the DA. They addressed the KwaZulu-Natal elective congress after the outgoing party leader Helen Zille pulled out at last minute.

Both leaders used the platform to launch their campaigns before party members.

James has challenged Maimane to a public debate on the future of the party and the country.

Four public debates have been scheduled for the two leaders in the build up to the national elective congress according to Maimane, starting in May.

Both leaders congratulated the DA in KwaZulu-Natal for contributing to the growth of the party nationally.

The party garnered over 489 000 votes in KwaZulu-Natal for 2014 general elections.

– By Zanele Buthelezi