Cape Town - MEC for Human Settlement Bonginkosi Madikizela has been elected as the DA’s provincial leader.
Madikizela who had been appointed as the interim leader earlier this year following the resignation of former leader, Patricia de Lille in January retained his position following the party’s provincial congress held in Goodwood.
After months of campaigning, Madikizela beat his opponent, MPL Lennit Max in what has been a very contentious race.
Madikizela’s troubles began in May after revelations that he may have violated the provincial legislature’s rules when he failed to declare a R3 000 cake that was gifted to him at a birthday party held at the One and Only Hotel in Cape Town.
#Change19 begins now, says newly elected @Our_DA Western Cape leader, Bonginkosi Madikizela @bmsmad #WCcongress pic.twitter.com/lt4ZJzFyip
— DA Western Cape (@WesternCapeDA) October 7, 2017
Loud cheers as Bonginkosi Madikizela announced as Leader of @WesternCapeDA #DACongress @WeekendArgus pic.twitter.com/2Whx7goLdd
— Tshego Lepule (@tshegofatsang) October 7, 2017
An investigation by the legislature’s conduct committee, which was chaired by his opponent, Max, raised questions which saw Madikizela stating that it was an attempt to tarnish his name and ruin his campaign.
The resignation of the registrar investigating the matter, Romeo Maasdorp as well as that of Max as the chairperson of the committee, saw many questioning whether the investigation was being squashed by party leaders supporting Madikizela to ensure that he succeeded in his quest for position of party leader.
#WCcongress2017 gears up... pic.twitter.com/GNkMFjKDii
— DA Western Cape (@WesternCapeDA) October 7, 2017
Delegates starting to queue to cast votes, with 992 registered voters counting will take place during proceedings #DACongress @WeekendArgus pic.twitter.com/7Ew9t9sk8S
— Tshego Lepule (@tshegofatsang) October 7, 2017
MEC for Social Development Albert Fritz who ran alongside Madizikela as a preferred candidate for the post was also elected deputy leader.
Addressing delegates Madikizela said: I want to thank all the candidates who were part of this fierce contestation. You should pat yourself on the back as members of the DA, you made it possible to exercise our democracy. As the leader said, immediately after today the internal contestation is over. We go out there and work towards the 2019 project.”
A relaxed looking & confident Madikizela dances merrily with supporters as delegates pass time #DACongress @WeekendArgus pic.twitter.com/GT8QBGqlVE
— Tshego Lepule (@tshegofatsang) October 7, 2017
Bonginkosi Madikizela's supporters sing and dance around him with minutes to go before results come are announced #DACongress @WeekendArgus pic.twitter.com/6Z6fsubecf
— Tshego Lepule (@tshegofatsang) October 7, 2017
“If we don’t put our differences aside and rally behind this vision and project [national elections in 2019], our children will never forgive us for not taking this one opportunity to remove the corrupt ANC.”