Bhanga guns for national leadership position

● DA’s former Eastern Cape leader says campaign for deputy federal chair post gaining momentum

bonania@theherald.co.za

Former Eastern Cape DA leader Nqaba Bhanga has thrown his hat into the ring for a leadership position at the party’s national congress, set to take place in Gauteng next month.

Bhanga first announced his ambition to serve at a national level on the sidelines of the party’s provincial congress last month before delivering his final speech as provincial leader.

He said after two terms as a provincial leader, it was time for him to move up the ranks and assist in the party’s growth which would be realised through his emotional connection with people.

Bhanga will be contesting for one of three deputy federal chair posts and is the only candidate from the Eastern Cape who has been nominated.

The deputy federal chair posts are now held by Jacques Smalle, Refiloe Nt’sekhe and Anton Bredell, who are all standing for another term.

Bhanga said his campaign was well under way and had received a positive response from delegates across the board.

“It would not be such a big issue if at least I get to occupy one of the three deputy federal chair positions,” he said.

“The message I’m taking to the delegates is that I want to participate in creating an emotional connection between the DA and South Africans, which is one of the keys things we lack as a party.”

Bhanga said citizens countrywide had been sounding a clarion call for assistance during these difficult economic times and wanted a party that would rise to the occasion.

“The people want to be involved with a party they can identify with, cry, celebrate and pray with, therefore my duty will be to assist the DA to achieve this.”

He said the DA had established amazing systems of governance in municipalities, its election machinery was great and the staff who ran the party’s operations were even better and that with this combination, the party was ready to lead SA after the 2024 elections.

“All that needs to happen to achieve this and take over SA is that emotional connection with the people,” Bhanga said.

“The people want to see the other side of politicians and not the choreographed way of doing things, they want politicians who can open up their hearts.

“When a child was mutilated and killed in Motherwell, I was there with the family and the community.

“I’ve connected the DA with religious leaders, civil society, kings, queens and to places where it previously didn’t exist, like in the former Transkei area.

“The DA has a footprint in all corners of the province now.”

Other candidates nominated for positions include:

● Federal leader: John Steenhuisen, Lungile Phenyane and Mpho Phalatse;

● Federal chair: Ivan Meyer, Lungile Phenyane and Qhawekazi Mbatha;

● Chair of the federal council: Helen Zille and Lungile Phenyane; and

● Federal finance chair: Dion George and Lungile Phenyane.

There are eight nominations for the deputy federal chair post, including Bhanga’s and seven for the deputy chairs of the federal council.