The Democratic Alliance (DA) will hold its Federal Congress early next month. One of the important items of business will be the election of the Federal Leader of the DA.
There are two candidates: John Steenhuisen, the current Leader of the Opposition in South Africa, who is seeking a second term; and Dr Mpho Phalatse, the recently deposed DA mayor of Johannesburg.
I will be supporting Steenhuisen for several reasons, two of the most important of which are that he deserves a second term because of his excellent performance in stabilising the DA after the departure of Mmusi Maimane and because he has managed to increase its support among voters of all races.
He is a thoroughly nice guy with no airs and graces – he is the sort of chap voters would feel comfortable enjoying with him a beer and a joke. He is a well-known figure in our country with a compelling record of leadership at local government level; in Provincial Government in Kwa-Zulu Natal; as a highly successful Opposition Chief Whip in Parliament; and as a skilled and experienced debater and leader of a caucus of over a hundred MPs, a similar number of MPLs, several thousand town and city councillors, tens of thousands of members and around 3 million supporters. Above all, he has demonstrated in good times and bad that he has staying power, the essential for political success. John will be around in the DA, win, lose, or draw, and will not in a month or a year be looking for an excuse to poor-mouth the party before leaving in a huff.
I am a fan of Mpho Phalatse. I served on the Selection Panel that nominated her as the DA candidate for mayor of Johannesburg. She is a highly educated medical specialist, very intelligent, and an impressive public speaker both off-the-cuff and after careful preparation. She also has a great deal of charm, is always beautifully turned out, and if I may say so, is a glamorous and attractive person. She was a credit to the citizens of Johannesburg and to the DA, which made her the mayor. She also previously had a successful term as a member of DA Mayor Herman Mashaba's Mayoral Committee.
The DA is fortunate indeed in having two candidates of this calibre.