DA’s young lions braced to battle for plum posts
Poll results key to leadership of party in parliament and, in time, party itself
A BATTLE is brewing for the leadership of the Democratic Alliance in parliament, with the outcome of elections in Gauteng and the Western Cape set to play a crucial part.
The election of a leader by the DA’s parliamentary caucus could also be the first round in an eventual showdown to succeed Helen Zille as DA leader.
The party’s parliamentary leader, Lindiwe Mazibuko, and Gauteng premier candidate, Mmusi Maimane, are both expected to be nominated for the parliamentary post, although this week neither was willing to commit to the race.
DA MP John Steenhuisen formally denied rumours that he was lobbying for Maimane, or that he would run his campaign.
Maimane said he was focused on becoming premier of Gauteng. He would not say whether he would be available to stand as parliamentary leader if the DA failed to win Gauteng.
Mazibuko said she believed any campaigning for the parliamentary leadership should start only after the general election. She would decide on seeking nomination only after May 7.
Because Zille is expected to easily retain the premiership of the Western Cape, the DA constitution requires the newly elected DA parliamentary caucus, which comprises all the party’s MPs from all provinces, to choose a leader.
Initial discussions with likely future DA MPs have shown that it is still too early to make any credible prediction.
If she accepts nomination, Mazibuko can show she has more experience of parliamentary politics and, as leader of the opposition, that she has been a thorn in the side of President Jacob Zuma.
Counting against her will be residual anger from supporters of her predecessor, Athol Trollip, who she beat in a bitter contest two and a half years ago; any grudge Zille might hold after policy disagreements they had last year; and her absence from the election campaign trail because of emergency surgery, from which she has since recovered.
In Maimane’s favour would be the millions of rands the DA has pumped into raising his profile during the election campaign, and any opposition Zille might have to Mazibuko’s re-election.
But his inexperience as an MP, his controversial support of former President Thabo Mbeki, and his informal coalition discussions with the Economic Freedom Fighters, are likely to be used against him.
Mazibuko is expected to enjoy strong support in the Western Cape, Limpopo and Mpumalanga, while Maimane is set to receive similar support from the Eastern Cape and the Free State.
The balance of power in the Northern Cape and North West is unclear. KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng are divided.
It is expected that a stronger than expected DA result in the Western Cape would strengthen Mazibuko’s hand, whereas a stronger showing in Maimane’s home province of Gauteng would count in his favour.
It is understood that the parliamentary leadership election will take place on May 22 at parliament when new MPs take their oath of office.