Johannesburg - Lindiwe Mazibuko has dismissed rumours and speculation of a dramatic return to lead the DA following Helen Zille’s decision to step down, but hasn’t ruled out running for the position in the near future.
The former DA parliamentary leader, who completes her post-graduate studies at Harvard in June, says she will not be running for election at the DA’s May congress.
This makes DA parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane the clear front runner to take over the reins from Zille.
Speculation was rife that Mazibuko would go head to head with Maimane at the conference.
Mazibuko weighed in on the leadership race after Zille pulled out on Sunday.
“Helen Zille has led the DA with courage and distinction over the past eight years. Under her leadership our support has grown steadily from an official opposition commanding just over 12 percent of the national vote to a force in South African politics which now enjoys the support of nearly one in every four voters,” said Mazibuko.
Mazibuko said she wouldn’t be making herself available for election to any leadership position at the 2015 congress.
She said since Zille’s announcement there had been speculation as to whether she would be returning from the US to make herself available as a candidate for DA leader.
“Rather, I will be watching and supporting my friends, colleagues and fellow democrats from across the Atlantic. When the time is right, I will make myself available for whichever position I believe will enable me to best make a contribution towards building a better South Africa. That time, however, is not now,” said Mazibuko.
One DA MP said the real contest would be between Makashule Gana and Eastern Cape leader Athol Trollip for the influential position of federal chairman.
Trollip will not be fighting for the party leader position and has instead thrown his name in the hat for the federal chairman post. The incumbent, Wilmot James, is not seeking re-election.
Also contesting the position is former MP Masizole Mnqasela.
“The media wanted to see a contest before between Lindiwe and Mmusi. But I don’t think it was ever going to happen. Her network of opportunities at Harvard could lead to higher places than going back to the organisation,” said the MP.
Trollip has also been officially elected as the party’s Nelson Mandela Bay mayoral candidate for the 2016 local government elections.
“But you must never underestimate that guy (Gana). People make the mistake of using his personality to measure his qualities, but that (federal chairman) will be the closest contest. I’m telling you, that is the one to watch,” he said.
DA youth leader Mbali Ntuli took to Facebook on Monday to express her disappointment with Mazibuko’s decision.
“Tragic that Mazibuko will not be contesting the DA leadership race. Many agree she would have been the best candidate to take us to 2016,” said Ntuli.
Trollip also took to social media to confirm his candidacy for federal chairman.
“After much speculation in the media, I am not standing for federal leader of (the DA). I have been nominated for federal chairperson. It is this position I continue to campaign for ahead of the congress on May 9,” said Trollip.
Political Bureau