By Zukile Majova
Political Editor
Black delegates at the DA’s national elective congress have lost an opportunity to introduce the position of deputy federal leader in the party.
This was an important constitutional amendment which was being brought to congress for the third time.
When the motion failed after over 2,000 votes were counted, the group that had voted for the motion could not believe the close results: 850 for the motion and 879 against.
Voting for this motion has never been this close as previous attempts were rejected outright.
Former Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga was caught on camera saying there should be a recount.
“There are a number of provinces that do have deputy provincial leaders. For a party that is growing, a party that is going to be in government, I think there is a need to provide capacity that will assist the party but also what we are trying to do in government.
“So I think having a deputy leader is also that additional capacity… and also it is important that we start looking at that so that we are able to start building succession because what we have in the DA, we have leader that comes and he has to start over from scratch,” Msimanga explained to the media.
The motion was designed to propel former Johannesburg mayor Dr Mpho Phalatse into the higher echelons of the party and present her as a potential future leader of the party.
It is anticipated that current leader John Steenhuisen won’t be re-elected by the congress.
This is another lost opportunity in the DA which currently has a white leadership as it prepares for the national general elections in 2024.
The campaign will be led by Steenhuisen and re-elected Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille.
Also leading from the front will be Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Retief Odendaal, Umngeni Local Municipality Mayor Chris Pappas and newly elected Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink.
These are the trusted leaders driving service delivery in DA-controlled councils and are all white.
Black DA leaders who will also lead election campaigns include DA chief whip Siviwe Gwarube, Phalatse, Msimanga, former NMB mayor Nqaba Bhanga in the Eastern Cape and Jane Sithole, the DA leader in Mpumalanga.
Steenhuisen said the party was preparing for its biggest test in 2024, to bring the ANC majority below 50%.
“We are now on track for a record result in 2024 where we must bring the ANC below 50% and rescue South Africa. This is our mission.
“The DA must and will play a role in constructing a post-ANC South Africa and we translate our vision of an open opportunity society for all into a realistic plan that all South Africans can resonate with,” said Steenhuisen.
Picture above: Feeling defeated: black delegates lose important motion in DA congress
Image source: Supplied
