DA Congress: Steenhuisen ready to rally behind Phalatse should he lose
John Steenhuisen and Mpho Phalatse have a few more hours to try secure support for the Democratic Alliance’s top job.
It’s down to the wire for the two candidates contesting the DA’s federal leadership position, as the party holds its largest-ever congress in Midrand on Saturday and Sunday.
The nearly 2 000 delegates gathered at the Gallagher Convention Centre are only expected to vote on the top six positions on Sunday, with Saturday’s programme mostly dedicated to voting on constitutional amendments.
Steenhuisen, who has the backing of the party’s old guard, hopes to make a return with a focus on growing the DA in preparation to take over from the governing ANC in the upcoming general elections.
“I’ve travelled to all the provinces; I’ve done webinars with many of the provinces, and I think I have done enough work to get over the finish line. But as they say there’s no guarantees in politics. Anything can happen between now and Sunday afternoon.”
LISTEN: Who will lead the DA? Phalatse, Steenhuisen face off at watershed congress
A casualty of the numbers game playing out in Gauteng metros herself, his rival former Joburg mayor Phalatse says she’s the right person to grow the party by positioning it as an inclusive party.
Asked if he should be defeated, Steenhuisen says he’s ready to rally behind Phalatse.
“If I am not successful on Sunday, I will take my seat back in Parliament and I will work every day to make sure that Mpho Phalatse is the most successful DA leader that we’ve ever had. That’s what democrats do, we don’t walk out in huffs, throw our hands up and run factions and fractions.”
WATCH: We asked John Steenhuisen if he’s willing to be led by Mpho Phalatse,should he lose to her as they face off for the DA’s top job: “if I am not successful…I will work every day to make sure Mpho Phalatse is the most successful leader the DA’s ever had” #DAcongress2023 pic.twitter.com/HYb1jiP5XZ
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) April 1, 2023
Meanwhile, congress presiding officer Greg Krumbock defended the party’s chosen electoral system after it emerged a video of Phalatse casting doubt on the process had been making the rounds among delegates.
Addressing media on the readiness to host the gathering on the eve of the congress, Krumbock said this was the first time, in the four years they had been using it, there had been any queries about the efficiency of the Opavote online voting tool.
“The queries that have been raised speak to the integrity and the secrecy of the ballot. We don’t believe those are issues at all.”
Voting is expected to take place in a closed session from 6 am on Sunday. The results announcement is set for 2:30 pm on the same day.
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