In the span of one day, two leaders of the Democratic Alliance announced their resignations at the party’s Gauteng headquarters in Bruma.
Former leaders of the party Mmusi Maimane and Athol Trollip confirmed their resignations on October 23.
This came after mayor Herman Mashaba announced his resignation on October 21.
John Steenhuisen stepped down as DA chief whip on Thursday.
At the Bruma press conference, Maimane admitted to losing the fight to transform the DA to an inclusive party which black South Africans can relate to.
“I believe the DA is a party which could govern, but needed to be a home to all South Africans,” he said.
“It needed to change and required deliberate action and we began to campaign in many communities.
“There comes a time when leaders must step back from all the noise and conjecture, and make a sober and honest assessment as to what the future holds.
“I have spent the past few days doing just that alongside my wife. In the end, we have come to the conclusion that despite my best efforts, the DA is not the vehicle best suited to take forward the vision of building one South Africa for all.”
He resigned from the DA and as member of parliament on Thursday, cutting all ties with the party he has led since May 2015.
