Cape Town - The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Gauteng branch on Tuesday declared its support for Mmusi Maimane as party leader following the recent announcement by long-time party leader Helen Zille that she will be relinquishing the reins.
“Candidate for DA Federal Leader Mmusi Maimane today received a letter of public support from 144 Gauteng delegates to the DA’s Federal Congress,” DA MP Geordin Hill-Lewis said on Tuesday.
Mike Moriarty, the DA Chief Whip in the Gauteng legislature, sent the letter to Maimane stating he and his provincial colleagues wished to congratulate him on his candidacy and declare their support at the upcoming Federal Congress taking place in Port Elizabeth next month.
The letter of support was also signed by DA MPs Glynnis Breytenbach, Marius Redelinghuys, Anchen Dreyer, and Tsepo Mhlongo and members of the Gauteng legislature including Solly Msimanga, Jack Bloom, Janet Semple, and Fred Nel.
“There’s a groundswell of support inside and outside the party for Maimane to become the next leader of the Democratic Alliance,” said Hill-Lewis.
“DA delegates want a leader that can win over voters who share the DA’s values, but do not yet vote for the party. This is what Maimane offers.”
Gauteng’s endorsement followed that of DA Western Cape leader and Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille, who released her letter of support on Monday stating she believed in Maimane’s vision for both the party and country.
ANA