Concerns raised over DA leadership succession, youth renewal


Political analyst Xolelwa Gashe has raised concern over the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) leadership succession plan.

Gashe used the DA’s Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille as an example, saying the party seems to be failing to groom its young people to takeover.

The DA is holding its Federal Congress at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, north of Johannesburg where a new leadership will be elected. Gashe says DA is facing a leadership crisis.

“I think it is a problem when you have a personality acting as a figurehead that seems to be all-encompassing and all-controlling. Helen is not leaving the political landscape; she is targeting Johannesburg and seems to be the trusted lieutenant when it comes to taking over the City of Johannesburg,” says Gashe.

She says it is part of that leadership crisis where you have an individual who seems to be an all-rounder without grooming young leaders.

“Maybe there is a crisis in leadership even within the DA, because why can they not field a young, fresh candidate for the City of Johannesburg? Instead, they will still use Helen,” adds Gashe.

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