Selfe fails to make it onto the DA’S top 20 list
THE DA’S second most powerful leader, James Selfe, failed to make it onto the official opposition’s top 20 list of leaders expected to represent the party in Parliament
Selfe is the chairperson of the federal executive council.
At the party’s headquarters in Johannesburg yesteday, the party released its lists for national and provincial legislatures.
As expected, leader Mmusi Maimane tops the list. Surprisingly, DA MP Willem Faber and not Selfe is second on the list.
“The DA has put forward the country’s best representatives who will champion the need to Build One South Africa for All,” the party said.
Selfe is one of the most powerful members of the DA’S federal executive council, the highest decision-making body of the party.
He has been at the forefront of reprimanding and expelling several former DA leaders, such as the leader of the new political party, Good, Patricia de Lille, who was Cape Town mayor until late last year.
“Between now, election day and beyond, they will campaign and work to ensure there is a job in every home, corruption is stopped, our borders are secure, we are kept safe by an honest and professional police service and the delivery of basic services is accelerated,” the party said.
DA leaders in the North West and the Free State, Joe Mcgluwa and Patricia Kopane, were in the top 10 of the list along with party chief whip John Steenhuisen. Party youth leader Luyolo Mphithi is number 15 on the list. Member of the Western Cape provincial legislature Nceba Hinana, DA MPS Natasha Mazzone, Gwen Ngwenya, Thandeka Mbabama, former prosecutor Glynnis Breytenbach and the party’s communications boss Siviwe Gwarube were among the top candidates for the national legislature.
The DA said its lists represented the country’s diversity and were a testament to its commitment to Build One South Africa for All.
“Every day, the DA’S candidates and activists meet at least 20 000 South Africans in campaigns to increase our share of the vote, which translates into bringing the ANC below 60% nationally, retaining the Western Cape and bringing the ANC below 50% in the Northern Cape and Gauteng,” the party said.
“Following the decisive 2016 local government elections, the DA now governs in 34 jurisdictions in Gauteng, Western Cape, Limpopo and Eastern Cape and is responsible for more than 50% of the local government budget allocation.”