Msimanga weighs bid for DA leadership

The Gauteng leader said provincial officials had approached him to pursue the national position

- Mandisa Nyathi

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader in Gauteng Solly Msimanga is considering bidding for national leadership of the party, intensifying what is shaping up to be a competitive contest before the party federal elective congress in April.

Msimanga told the Mail & Guardian that he had been approached by “a number of people, including some provincial leaders” to stand in the leadership race, adding: “I will decide and then make it known in a couple of days.”

The leadership vacuum emerged after federal leader John Steenhuisen announced last week that he would not seek reelection for a third term, bringing an end to his six-year tenure at the helm of the party.

Steenhuisen was adamant he had not been forced into withdrawing, despite DA insiders saying he had fallen out with a faction perceived to be led by federal chair Helen Zille.

In an interview with the M&G, he said he was leaving the party healthier than he had found it in 2019. He had no preferred successor, blowing open the battle to succeed him.