By Lungile Ntimba
In a surprising turn of events, Banele Majingo, former leader of the opposition in the Cape Town City Council, announced on Thursday that he has left the African National Congress (ANC) to join the Democratic Alliance (DA).
Majingo was initially meant to lead the charge for a motion of no confidence against speaker Felicity Purchase of the DA on Thursday.
The motion was submitted in February by Majingo on behalf of the multiparty opposition.
With Majingo’s resignation on Thursday morning, the motion was dismissed from the agenda.
In a statement, Majingo said that after careful consideration, he found his values and principles to be more closely aligned with the DA.
“After careful consideration, I have come to realise that my personal values and principles are now more aligned with those of the Democratic Alliance,” he said.
“I am committed to their pursuit of clean governance and economic growth. I am increasingly impressed with their commitment to deliver for poor residents and the unemployed.”
JP Smith, DA metro regional chairperson, welcomed Majingo’s decision to join the party.
“Today is an historic moment in the City of Cape Town, as Councillor Banele Majingo has resigned as Leader of the Opposition and as Leader of the ANC in the City of Cape Town Council, and has joined the DA,” said Smith.
“We welcome him warmly as a member of the Democratic Alliance. Banele Majingo has been a lifelong political activist and servant. His fight for democracy began in his youth, a time when he was expelled from school for having a copy of the Freedom Charter.”
He further extended an invitation to all current ANC councillors, members and voters to also join in building the “City of Good Hope.”
“Councillor Majingo has seen this firsthand in his role as Leader of the Opposition and as a member of the Finance and MPAC Committees,” said Smith.
“Just yesterday, the Democratic Alliance welcomed members from the ANC, ACDP, and ARA. Today, the Leader of the Opposition in the City has done the same. We invite all South Africans to join us as we continue building the City of Good Hope.”
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