PHUTI MOSOMANE
THE two candidates for the leadership of the Democratic Alliance (DA) in South Africa, John Steenhuisen and Mpho Phalatse, have pledged to improve the party’s performance in the upcoming 2024 national and provincial elections.
Speaking to delegates at the DA federal congress held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand on Saturday, both candidates pledged to bring significant changes to the party as a government-in-waiting.
Incumbent leader Steenhuisen promised to put an end to load shedding, while his opponent Phalatse vowed to restore the over one million votes the party lost in the 2021 local government elections and bring about positive change.
“Between the 2016 and 2021 Local Government Elections, our party lost more than 1.4 million votes. A total of 285 of our councillors lost their positions as elected public representatives in communities,” Phalatse said.
During her speech to the Congress delegates, Phalatse said that the voters have lost their trust in the official opposition.
“This is not because our brand is inferior, but it is because of a trust deficit that exists between us and the electorate. This is what stands between us and our chances of becoming a national government,” adds Phalatse.
Steenhuisen addressed the delegates, expressing confidence that the party is now on track to achieve a record result in the 2024 general elections.
He emphasized that their goal is to bring the ANC below 50% and work towards rescuing South Africa.
Both candidates agreed that the DA has a crucial role to play in constructing a post-ANC South Africa, and affirmed their commitment to ensuring that the party takes a leading role in this regard.
During the Congress, Steenhuisen urged the delegates to vote for continuity, while Phalatse called for a new approach and doing things differently.
Phalatse, on the other hand, expressed her readiness to lead the party towards a process of introspection and repositioning, with the goal of transitioning from an opposition party in Parliament to a governing party in 2024. She emphasized that the time has come for the DA, as a liberal democratic party, to take the reins of South Africa’s governance.
Phalatse stressed that South Africa is on the verge of total collapse, and that citizens are looking for a viable alternative to the current government.
She predicted that the ANC will drop below 40% in the upcoming 2024 elections and urged the party to be prepared to take advantage of this shift in the political landscape.
Steenhuisen outlined his vision for the party, with the goal of reducing the ANC’s national support below 50%.
He emphasized the importance of focusing on issues that matter to voters, such as ending load shedding, reducing unemployment to below 20%, defeating cadre deployment, and building a capable state.
Steenhuisen also highlighted his plans to address the issue of violent crime and to give more power to provincial and local government, as part of his vision for a more effective and responsive government in South Africa.
Steenhuisen shared that he has been a member of the DA since 2007, and began his journey as an ordinary councillor.
On the other hand, Phalatse highlighted her extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, having worked as a medical doctor in the township of Alexandra, north of Johannesburg.
During her speech, Phalatse also made a point of emphasizing that effectiveness is not determined by the length of time in a party or in politics.
She compared herself to former US President Barack Obama and contrasted her own qualifications and experience with those of her opponent, John Steenhuisen, whom she compared to former South African President Jacob Zuma.
“I want to state categorically here without any fear of contradiction, it is not the length of time in a party that determines one’s effectiveness, it is not the number of years that counts, it is about capability, experience and qualifications,” she said.
The voting process began this morning, and the results of the leadership election are expected to be announced this afternoon on Sunday at 14h00.
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