By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Tertuis Simmers has been elected as the Democratic Alliance (DA) new Western Cape leader at its elective congress in Cape Town
Simmers was challenged by former provincial leader, Bonginkosi Madikizela.
Over a thousand delegates gathered at Century City in Cape Town for the congress.
Speaking after his re-election, “Let me first start by thanking each and every one of you for showing your trust in me. After today, the hard work starts. I am humbled by your trust in me. You have not stabbed people in the back and you can still reach the top. As your provincial leader, I will execute a mandate over the next three years,” Simmers said.
Jaco Londt was elected unopposed as provincial chairperson. Geordin Hill-Lewis, also unopposed, was elected deputy leader.
Anroux Marais (first place), Carl Pophaim (second place) and Zimkitha Sulelo (third place) were elected as the three deputy provincial chairpersons.
Erik Marais was elected unopposed to retain his position as finance chairperson.
Earlier, DA leader John Steenhuisen outlined how he believed a strong result in the Western Cape next year could secure a national victory.
“For the first time ever, a vote for the DA in the Western Cape is also a vote for a new national government. According to all credible polling, the ANC will struggle to even get 40% in provinces like KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in next year’s election.
If the DA wins the Western Cape with an outright majority, and we drag the ANC out of power in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, then we will get a new national government next year. It’s that simple.
“This means that, for the first time since 1994, we can defeat the ANC nationally.
Steenhuisen said with its Multi-Party Charter partners, the DA is “perfectly positioned to become the big, strong anchor tenant for a new national coalition government”.