Voting underway for DA leader as Steenhuisen & Ntuli make final pleas
Democratic Alliance (DA) members began voting for a new party leader on Saturday.
KwaZulu-Natal MPL Mbali Ntuli and MP John Steenhuisen are contesting the Federal Leader position at the party's national congress.
More than 2000 delegates will cast their vote either virtually or at one of the 38 hybrid stations across the country.
Both candidates delivered their final speeches on Saturday morning.
Ntuli told delegates she envisioned is a kinder and more inclusive party.
“I ran my campaign showing that what I want for this party is for everyone to feel included in all our decision making and the way that the party is able to negotiate our shared values,” she said.
“The idea that diversity is part of our principles should be the one that is cherished the most as the Democratic Alliance and I want to move our party into a place where everyone feels that they have equal ability to say where they believe the Democratic Alliance should be going.”
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DA gears up to elect new leader as Steenhuisen, Ntuli square off
This weekend, Ntuli will go up against the party's interim leader John Steenhuisen in a contest to lead the party. Either Ntuli or John Steenhuisen will emerge as Federal Leader. Speaking ahead of the Federal Congress on Saturday, Ntuli said she has no doubt that being in Parliament will not be different from the work she is doing now, just a different scale.
Interim leader Steenhuisen highlighted his successes at the helm, adding that he’s proven his worth to the party.
“When I put my hand up for the position of interim leader a year ago, I did so because I care so deeply for the party, I have served for over 22 years. I knew very well that our engine had been splattering and our wings had been clipped. But instead of threatening to leave the party I love I asked all of you to join hands with me and instead of criticizing the DA in the media, I worked hard to rebuild its image.
“Under my leadership we have not shied away from the challenge that confronted us. When the going got tough, I made sure I got the DA going,” he said.
Electoral officers will tally the votes and the opposition party is expected to reveal its new leader on the second day of its congress on Sunday.
