The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Zwakele Mngcwango has retained his position as the party’s KwaZulu Natal leader after beating his rival Emmanuel Mhlongo.
Earlier DA leader Mmusi Maimane called on delegates to choose leadership that will ensure ANC dominance in the province is drastically reduced.
Over six hundred delegates gathered and chose the new leadership. It wants to reduce the ruling ANC’s majority control in KZN below 50%.
The party has been on an upward path since 2014 when it became the official opposition in the province. From then on, it continued to grow its support base, especially in rural areas.
Following the 2016 local elections, the DA emerged as kingmakers in several councils. It also co-governs in seven municipalities.
“The province where so much of our future fortunes will be decided… looking out at this congress today, I see a party that is truly alive and growing – bigger than it has ever been, the official opposition in this province, with more support than it has ever had, and with more activists, branches from 150 councillors to 201 and public representatives than ever before,”
However, Maimane warned against complacency.
“The political playing field has changed. no longer can we satisfy ourselves by merely taking on the man from Nkandla who has so harmed our country this past decade, and who gave us an easy target. And our party is learning the painful lessons of all fast-growing organisations. Our focus has been easily diverted from our core goal by navel-gazing division and jockeying for position.”
Maimane urged the new leadership to live up to the standards set up by the party.
Seemingly making a reference to Cape Town, he said not every DA government is leaving up to the party values.
Mmaimane urged the new leadership to live up to the standards set by the party.
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