Not all happy with DA’s election lists

016 25/01/2014 DA leader Helen Zille announced the lists for the 2014 national and provincial elections,as she has a little chat with one of the candidates Mmusi Maimane she mentioned that the lists represent diversity and a dynamic DA team.Picture Nokuthula Mbatha

016 25/01/2014 DA leader Helen Zille announced the lists for the 2014 national and provincial elections,as she has a little chat with one of the candidates Mmusi Maimane she mentioned that the lists represent diversity and a dynamic DA team.Picture Nokuthula Mbatha

Published Jan 27, 2014

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Johannesburg - The DA’s consolidated list of candidates for the elections, announced by party leader Helen Zille at the weekend, has been met with both delight and disappointment.

The top catch on the list is undoubtedly Glynnis Breytenbach, the prosecutor still fighting her suspension from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

But not all candidates are entirely happy with their positions on the national and provincial lists.

Some, like MP Pieter van Dalen, believe their hard work has been overlooked by the party’s top brass.

On Sunday, Van Dalen said he was pleased that the DA had a diverse list of candidates.

However, he was “not so pleased with my position at 28 as it is below the cut-off point of best-case scenario”.

“I was of the opinion that my hard work would give me a safe position.

“I have not given up hope and think that with this diverse list we will get more seats and therefore I might be returning.

“Remember, the list is double the best-case scenario. I am exactly in the middle,” said an optimistic Van Dalen.

Making the cut was all too overwhelming for Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille’s spokesman Solly Malatsi, who topped the national list in his home province of Limpopo.

Malatsi, like the DA’s communications director Phumzile van Damme, was one of the noteworthy inclusions selected internally from the ranks of party officials.

“It’s a huge achievement and a huge responsibility,” said Malatsi. “All these years in different forums in the party has prepared me for this. It’s all about hard work.”

He was “overwhelmed” when he found out he was topping the list.

 

DA defence spokesman David Maynier said he was “delighted” to be in the top 10 of the Western Cape’s list for the National Assembly.

“I’m at number six in the Western Cape list (national) and I look forward to serving.”

Zille also announced her premiership candidates for the rest of the provinces, except the Western Cape and Gauteng, where she and DA national spokesman Mmusi Maimane have already been confirmed as the candidates.

The only surprise was the naming of Andrew Louw as premiership candidate for the Northern Cape.

Zille maintained that with Louw at the helm, the DA “can bring clean government” to the Northern Cape.

DA federal executive chairman James Selfe said that advocate Breytenbach, one of the Gauteng DA candidates for the National Assembly, would be a valuable addition to the DA’s parliamentary caucus.

Her understanding of the judiciary made her good candidate for the party’s justice portfolio.

He said the party looked forward “to what will undoubtedly be an exciting election campaign and partnership with this incredibly talented candidate”.

He said she was “principled and brave, with a passion for the law and a sharp eye for detail”.

“I have no doubt she will be an exceptional legislator, and her extensive experience with the NPA will add significant momentum to our fight against corruption and attempts by the powerful to avoid accountability.”

Premiership candidates

* Western Cape: Helen Zille

* Gauteng: Mmusi Maimane

* NortheRn Cape: Andrew Louw

* Free State: Patricia Kopane

* North West: Chris Hattingh

* KwaZulu-Natal: Sizwe Mchunu

* Eastern Cape: Athol Trollip

* Limpopo: Langa Bodlani

* Mpumalanga: Anthony Benadie

The Star

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