The Inside Story – Why Madikizela Pulled Out Of Interim DA Leadership Race

Riyaz Patel

It has emerged that Democratic Alliance (DA) Western Cape leader Bonginkosi Madikizela’s withdrawal from the race to become interim leader of the party happened in order to avoid splitting votes for John Steenhuisen, according to three sources in the DA, News24 reported.

Madikizela, believed to be in the faction supporting Steenhuisen, bowed out from the race on Monday.

This leaves Steenhuisen and Makashule Gana as the only candidates contesting the election scheduled for this weekend.

Madikizela said he had been “advised” by leaders in the party to withdraw and focus his efforts on rebuilding trust in the DA in the Western Cape.

All three sources said the “classical liberal faction” had promised Madikizela to lobby support from delegates in his bid to become the DA’s federal leader at the 2020 elective congress.

“People have a right to speculate. Every time, as leaders in government, you