DA leadership contest: Bonginkosi Madikizela withdraws

Bonginkosi Madikizela, the party’s Western Cape leader and Minister of Transport and Public Works, has withdrawn from the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) leadership race.

Madikizela’s withdrawal, which became public knowledge on Monday, leaves just two contenders in the race for an interim leader of the official opposition party. Members of the DA will, on 17 November, choose between John Steenhuisen and Makashule Gana; one of which will lead the party until its annual conference in April 2020.

The election of an interim leader forms a fundamental aspect of the party’s restructuring process. This comes after Mmusi Maimane, who led the DA through a turbulent May election, handed in his resignation with immediate effect. Maimane was joined by Federal Chair, Athol Trollip, resulting in a sudden leadership void.

Bonginkosi Madikizela to focus on provincial needs

The first port of call for the party’s de facto leader, Helen Zille, was to stabilise the DA’s parliamentary presence. Steenhuisen was elected, uncontested, as the party’s parliamentary leader and shortly thereafter, threw his hat into the ring for the top spot.

Madikizela, who is the leader of the DA in the Western Cape, did not publically disclose his reasons for withdrawing from the race but it’s been reported that, after ‘serious consultation’, he felt his time would be better spent on provincial focuses.

Interestingly, on Sunday, Madikizela welcomed members from other parties to the DA – the bulk of which were disenfranchised GOOD followers, the party led by former Cape Town mayor, Patricia de Lille.

Speaking at the event, Madikizela refrained from announcing his withdrawal, but instead said:

“It’s no secret that we have a faced a number of challenges in the last few weeks but we will not forfeit accountability for comfort. The party has reflected and begun to address these challenges and despite the difficulties, we remain resolute to serve the people of our country.

I am humbled and grateful to the leaders and members who have joined us today for this homecoming celebration. Our vision of a non-racial, inclusive South Africa will be realised.”

John Steenhuisen and Makashule Gana go head-to-head

The two-horse leadership race, now run head-to-head between Steenhuisen and Gana, will form the pretext to a vital Federal Congress in April 2020. Whoever is elected interim leader this month, will steer the ship until then.

In addition to the interim leadership position, the following members will be contesting the position of DA Interim Federal Chairperson; Dharmesh Dhaya, Ivan Meyer, Khume Ramulifho and Nomafrench Mbombo.