The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) has elected its first black provincial leader in Gauteng.
John Moodey was elected unopposed as Gauteng leader of the Democratic Alliance at the party’s provincial congress in Benoni on the weekend.
”My aim is for the party to remain relevant and to transform ourselves from an opposition party into a viable government-in-waiting,” he said.
Since 2004, Moodey has been chairperson of the party in Gauteng, which represents a third of the party’s countrywide vote, and a member of the provincial legislature.
On Sunday he described his appointment as both exciting and daunting.
”I’m fully aware of the challenges and daunting task that lies ahead for myself as provincial leader,” he said.
Moodey has 20 years experience working in administration at the city of Johannesburg and on the executive of the Combined Employers Union.
He was elected as DA Florida ward councillor in 2000, chairperson of the Johannesburg council caucus in 2001 and as the vice-chairperson of the party’s regional Gauteng South structure in 2002.
”South Africa needs hope and hope can only be provided in a stable and strong democratic process,” he said.
”Our democracy needs to be strengthened — and that is my aim.”
Moodey said his election showed he was the best person to lead the party in the province irrespective of race, colour or gender.
His track record indicated he was ”not there just to window dress”, he said.
”It is nothing new to me that the focus from outside is on my colour –it’s nothing new to SA — but within my party we don’t look at colour, we look at merit.”
When asked, Moodey admitted he had been approached to run for the party’s national leadership.
”I say watch this space.” – Sapa