DA leaders trade more insults
THE CRUX: SHOULD PARTY BE AN ALTERNATIVE TO ANC?
Contenders for leadership continue sniping, with James claiming Maimane hasn’t named his campaign donors.
Aday before a crucial elective conference, warring DA leaders appear to be at each other’s throats again. DA parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane and federal chairperson Wilmot James exchanged insults yesterday as the infighting further divided the party ahead of a conference in Port Elizabeth to elect a new leader for the party.
They will go up against each other for the DA’s leadership position this weekend.
At the heart of the dispute between James and Maimane is whether the DA should be an alternative to the ANC.
James said Maimane seemed to be rattled. “Under major pressure after losing the leadership debate on KykNet, Maimane appears to have lost his nerve and turned nasty,” said James.
“I will not be distracted and will continue to work hard to share my positive vision for the future of our party.”
He claimed Maimane and his team still had not publicly named the donors supporting the “Maimane for Leader” campaign.
Responding to James’ claims, Maimane said: “We are complying with all regulations. We are confident we will be victorious on Sunday.”
Meanwhile, the candidates for the DA’s leadership positions are going all out to woo voters.
They have crisscrossed the country visiting delegates.
Maimane and James’ campaign trails have seen them face off in a televised debate, making unprecedented attempts to win the hearts and the minds of voters.
Maimane has invoked the name of Nelson Mandela that is synonymous with the ANC. Non-racialism and believing in tomorrow has been the constant message on his hectic campaign trail. Maimane said it was bearing fruit.
Eastern Cape DA leader Athol Trollip, MP Makashule Gana and Western Cape Legislature member Masizole Mnqasela will face off for the federal chairperson’s position.
Trollip told The Citizen he would be going all out in a final push for votes today.
“I will be phoning a few doubtful candidates who have not made up their minds.”
Gana said he was happy with his “clean” campaign.
Maimane and Gana are among the black leaders who are seen as the future of the DA. They have been at the forefront of the party’s ambitious campaign to attract more black voters. –