DA announces new National Spokesperson, Mmusi Maimane
Note to editors: The following statement was distributed at a press conference held in Johannesburg today by Democratic Alliance Leader Helen Zille and DA Federal Chairperson, Wilmot James.
It is my pleasure and privilege to introduce to you today the Democratic Alliance's new National Spokesperson, Mmusi Maimane. I am also pleased to be able to introduce to you today the newly elected Chairperson's of the DA's Gauteng South and Gauteng North regions - Khume Ramulifho MPL and Cllr Solly Msimanga respectively.
Mmusi's appointment as National Spokesperson has just been approved by the DA's Federal Executive, which is meeting here today, and so he begins his work as National Spokesperson immediately.
Both Khume Ramulifho and Solly Msimanga were elected to lead their respective regions in recent weeks, and so both have already begun their work.
All three of these colleagues embody the principles and values that define the DA's vision of an Open Opportunity Society for All. I have confidence that they will be able to communicate that vision in a way that resonates with all South African's, and especially those in the strategically important province of Gauteng.
The need to choose a new National Spokesperson arose after the previous incumbent in that office, Lindiwe Mazibuko, was elected as the DA's Parliamentary Leader in October.
In many ways Mmusi Maimane symbolises our party's future. He is a young and talented individual, committed to the values and principles which define the DA's vision of an Open Opportunity Society for All. He exemplifies these values. He grew up in Soweto, his parents still stay there, and he has lived there most of his life. Through sacrifice, hard work, and a desire to use every opportunity afforded him, Mmusi built an impressive career in business and dedicated himself to community work in various ways. Earlier this year he was elected as the DA's Mayoral Candidate for the City of Johannesburg in the May local government elections. Since then, he has served as Caucus Leader of our Johannesburg caucus.
Mmusi is the kind of person one can get to know well in a short space of time because his personal warmth, convictions and ability shine through. He has the leadership qualities, the vibrancy, the perseverance and the will to lead. In the coming months you, the members of the media, and indeed the South African public, will get to know him well.
The position of Regional Chairperson is an important one in the DA. Regional Chairpersons must ensure that the DA structures in their regions are politically active, present in every community and winning new votes. In that context, no two regions could be more important to the DA's 2014 election campaign than those of Gauteng South and Gauteng North. The DA has made no secret of our plan to win Gauteng in the 2014 national election. To secure that victory, we need leaders who will work tirelessly between now and 2014, building our brand and welcoming all South Africans to the DA.
Khume Ramulifho and Solly Msimanga are two such leaders. Khume has served in various capacities for a decade already. First as a DA Youth activist, then as a Councillor, then as Leader of the DA Youth, and most recently as a Member of the Provincial Legislature. His constituency is in Soweto, where he has built our structures there to their strongest point yet. He is committed to the DA's principles and values and its vision of an Open Opportunity Society for All.
Solly Msimanga started as a DA staff member, rising to the position of Provincial Director of Gauteng. Although he is fairly new to elective politics, having been elected as a Councillor for the first time this year, he has quickly shown himself to be a strong leader.
These three colleagues represent the young new corps of leaders who are rising through the ranks of the DA across the country. They are people of integrity, talent and intelligence, who have a remarkable task to fulfil - leading the DA through its next and most important stage of growth; that of building a new majority around the idea of a truly non-racial and prosperous South Africa.
Statement issued by Helen Zille, Leader of the Democratic Alliance, December 13 2011
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