Meet the DA’s new leaders
Councillors Kosani, Faldtman ready to shine in new roles
THE Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape elected a new leadership for both its women’s network and youth formation over the weekend.
Buffalo City Metro councillor Mawethu Kosani was elected to lead the party’s youth structure, while Nelson Mandela Bay Metro councillor Georgina Faldtman was given the nod to lead the DA Women’s Network (Dawn).
The two elective congresses, which took place in Komani on Saturday, were graced by the party’s provincial leaders, including provincial head Nqaba Bhanga and deputy chairman Bobby Stevenson.
Bhanga yesterday said both congresses had been successful and had served their purpose which was to fairly elect credible leadership.
“I believe both congresses elected the right people who will be able to drive our powerful 2019 national election campaigns within the structures and in turn grow the organisation.
“Mawethu and Georgina have both served as councillors and are well vested in the policies of the organisation. We are in good hands,” said Bhanga.
The DA youth structure had been under the care of Nelson Mandela Bay Metro councillor Rashied Adams, who was appointed as the interim chairman. This after their former chairwoman, Khanyisa Daweti, resigned in February.
Kosani said his main task was to revitalise the party’s branch participation and to use that as an engine to drive the 2019 election campaign for the party.
“We have an impressive membership in Daso which has the same young people we need in the DA youth, but somehow we have not managed to translate our Daso participation into DA branch capacities. We intend to change that,” said Kosani.
The 60 delegates who elected Faldtman, she said, would have to help her rebuild and grow the Dawn.
She would, meanwhile, continue to mobilise non-governmental organisations to assist in the fight against sexism on all fronts.
“We will continue to grow the Dawn and mobilise women so that we destroy the stereotype that there are certain positions that are traditionally reserved for men only,” said Faldtman. —