New Democratic Alliance (DA) leader in KwaZulu-Natal, Sizwe Mchunu, has dismissed suggestions that the contest between him and Ziba Jiyane will result in tensions between leaders and party members.
Addressing party delegates after his election in Ladysmith on Saturday, Mchunu committed himself to working with all party members, including those who had campaigned for Jiyane.
“You have elected a South African, not a black leader, my blood is blue and I live and breathe DA,” Mchunu told party delegates after the results were announced.
He added that Jiyane had a significant role to play in ensuring the growth of the party, especially in black communities.
He said some may contend that the election campaign had been dirty one, “but I believe it was a robust contest and the real winner here is the DA”.
Addressing the media after the results on Saturday, DA leader Helen Zille said elected leaders had to lead all party members without purging those who had lost.
“The zero sum approach and winner-takes-it-all has no place in the DA,” said Zille. – Sapa