Meyer eyes top DA job in the Cape

INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS

DAs federal deputy chairperson Ivan Meyer. Photo: Mxolisi Madela

DA federal deputy chairman Ivan Meyer has thrown his hat into the ring for the DA’s Western Cape provincial chairmanship after incumbent Theuns Botha announced he would not stand for re-election.

Botha has been the DA provincial chairman for a decade. He announced during a provincial conference in Worcester on Saturday that he would not run again.

The new provincial leader and executive council will be elected at the party’s provincial congress, set to take place in October.

“There was no pressure from any individual or circumstances to give up the leadership. A good leader knows when to step down, and this is my time as provincial leader,” Botha said.

He had made his intentions known now “to make way for a new provincial leader for the DA in the Western Cape”.

The DA’s Cape Town metro regional chairman, Grant Pascoe, said the new leader would have to be “someone who can retain and increase the DA’s majority”.

Pascoe himself is facing a challenge for re-election to the metro regional chairmanship against three rivals.

Meyer said he was confident he would win because of support from local, provincial and national levels of the party. “After extensive consultations with the leadership of the party, I have resolved to stand as a candidate for provincial leader. Until such time I will continue to serve the party in my capacity as DA federal deputy chairperson.

“The DA in the Western Cape has grown as a major force in the political landscape of South Africa under its current leader Theuns Botha, ” Meyer said.

Asked whether he had competition, he said the race was wide open and the DA “has no anointed leaders”.

“I am certain there will be competition. I am confident I have a good chance. The road towards 2014 is clear and I will mobilise the party structures to roll out our plan, meet our targets, increase our diversity and excellence, create social inclusion and drive our key agenda to grow the economy, create jobs and reduce poverty,” he said.

UWC political analyst Dr Cherrel Africa said part of the race for the leadership would be an attempt to present an inclusive image.

“The DA is still grappling with the perception that the party is geared to the wealthy … and mostly the white constituency. The DA’s processes are competitive and I think high-calibre candidates will be allowed to stand,” she said.

Africa said Meyer’s chances would rest on who stood against him and the popularity of that person within the party.

Before being elected to the provincial legislature in 2009, Meyer was a senior lecturer in Public Policy and Local Governance at Stellenbosch University. Before that he was one of the province’s chief directors in corporate services.

sibusiso.nkomo@inl.co.za

Cape Argus