Tshwane mayor for Gauteng premier
"Gauteng will be the central battleground in the election campaign next year and we are confident that Solly will lead a team that will bring the change the people of Gauteng deserve."
The DA has announced Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga as its candidate for Gauteng premier ahead of next year’s election.
National leader Mmusi Maimane made the announcement on Sunday after the party’s federal executive meeting.
“It gives me great pleasure to announce that this weekend, the federal executive of the Democratic Alliance ratified the selection of Solly Msimanga as the premier candidate for Gauteng for the 2019 election following a competitive and rigorous selection process.”
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Maimane said the party was confident that the Tshwane mayor would bring change to the people of Gauteng.
“Gauteng will be the central battleground in the election campaign next year and we are confident that Solly will lead a team that will bring the change the people of Gauteng deserve.
Solly possesses the experience, temperament, integrity and expertise to lead the DA to victory in Gauteng.” Maimane said.
The ANC has yet to announce its candidate but recently announced its new provincial leadership led by premier David Makhura, who was elected provincial party chairperson unopposed and education MEC Panyaza Lesufi his deputy.
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And according to ANC tradition, either the chairperson or the deputy stands as premier.
The DA said Msimanga was the right candidate to lead Gauteng.
“He represents a new generation of leaders in the DA – young, charismatic, articulate, competent, and wholeheartedly committed to improving the lives of South Africans, particularly people oppressed by unemployment and poverty.”
The party said Msimanga had gained valuable governance experience from his role as mayor.
“Under Solly’s leadership, the City of Tshwane has turned a R2 billion debt inherited from the previous failing ANC government into a R704 million surplus. Just last month, Tshwane was ranked the fastest growing City in Africa, with almost R5 billion in investment already attracted to the nation’s capital.” Maimane said.
Many analysts foresee possible coalition in the province, with the ANC failing to get over 50 percent votes.
But according to Ipsos “Pulse of the People” study, the ANC is predicted to get 58 percent, DA, 15 percent and the EFF, 10 percent.
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