John Steenhuisen, the current leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA), has asserted that he has drawn more black votes to his party compared to former leader Mmusi Maimane.
Steenhuisen expressed satisfaction with his performance as DA leader, highlighting the party’s growth and consolidation of its base.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Mmusi Maimane Challenges Helen Zille To Prove Cadre Deployment Claims
Steenhuisen noted that the DA’s support among black South Africans has doubled since the last election. “I am very happy with a number of things we have been able to do. We have been able to consolidate our base and we have been able to win back support,” he said.
As the election results continue to be tallied, the DA is performing admirably at the IEC’s Results Operations Centre (ROC), securing a significant number of seats in parliament. The party is also doing well in Gauteng, where a coalition is expected to be formed. “I have got more black votes than Mr. Maimane got when he was a leader,” Steenhuisen claimed.
Steenhuisen addressed comments suggesting that the DA’s support would decline in the 2024 elections. He expressed satisfaction that the DA has proven these predictions wrong.
“One of the media houses after 2019 proudly produced a front page that said the death of the DA. Well, those reports of our death have been greatly exaggerated. Here we are after an election having grown from 2019, going back to parliament with more seats than ever before,” he said.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Mmusi Maimane Found Guilty Of Defaming Former DA Members, Ordered To Pay R475k
Despite facing criticism and controversies, including an advert featuring the South African flag burning and accusations of alienating black voters, Steenhuisen believes he has fulfilled his role effectively.
“We have new voters and I am very pleased with that. I hope you are going to be asking Mr. Ramaphosa and Mr. Malema and all the people whose parties have declined how you rate their leadership,” he stated.
, has asserted that he has drawn more black votes to his party compared to former leader Mmusi Maimane.){kind=link}