Johannesburg - Wilmot James admits that Mmusi Maimane – his adversary in the race for the DA’s national leadership position – is like “an unstoppable train”.
However, he insists he is equally competitive enough to ascend to the throne.
The outgoing federal chairman of the main opposition party believes his vision of a distinctive DA that offers an alternative to the ANC will count in his favour.
James said his opponent was offering essentially “another version of the ANC”.
“I have consulted widely and I believe I have strong support. Yes, it’s a stretch and a difficult target to reach, but I am competitive. I have been consulting and I believe I have good support,” James said in an interview with The Star on Monday.
James did what his detractors believe was the unthinkable when he announced that he would take on the charismatic and popular Maimane, who many think is the obvious choice to replace Helen Zille.
Zille announced last month that she would not be standing for re-election at the party’s national congress in Port Elizabeth this weekend.
James conceded that the odds were heavily stacked against him. “The numbers are not in my favour,” he said, but maintained he would “fight this fight to my best of ability”.
While also conceding that Maimane had the charisma to swing the voters in his favour, he was banking on his vast experience as a politician and strategist.
“Let me tell you, Mmusi is superb, there is a charm and charisma that exemplify him. My assets are a good mainstream of ideas, which are important for the future of a political party.
“I have the ability and agility to navigate… I like direct contact, interpersonal engagement, so I have assets, and the voters must see what those are and contrast to Mmusi. I have lot of experience, I fought against apartheid and know what indignity is…”
He suggested that the timing of Zille’s decision to step down could have negatively affected his chances as he did not have enough time to launch his election campaign.
“He (Maimane) has had millions behind him as mayoral candidate, and he carries two years of branding. That’s where the train comes in, and I have to compete with that train. It’s a well-financed, well-oiled train. The timing of Zille (to step down) isn’t accidental.”
He took a dig at the adversaries in the Maimane camp.
“They should choose me because I offer a real alternative to the ANC, and my competitor offers another version of the DA. My offer is to offer the DA… an alternative to the ANC, and which does not flirt with the NDA (National Development Plan).
“We have been flirting with the ANC policy, and that is politically the wrong thing to do. We need to differentiate ourselves from the ANC.”
Describing himself in terms of the DA’s political catch-phrase of “a liberal democrat”, James said he would prioritise the alleviation of poverty and inequality and a stable investor-friendly environment as a catalyst for job creation.
“Jobs are the key issues we should address, and the ANC has failed. I have a clear vision of leading the DA as an alternative to the ANC, not another version.” He said it was important that DA members emerged out of the congress united.
The Star