MPL, to the DA Mpumalanga PEC on 31 July2014

MPL, to the DA Mpumalanga PEC on 31 July 2014

On 7 March 2015, the Democratic Alliance Mpumalanga will host its elective Provincial Congress. By the time the 2015 Provincial Congress takes place, I would have served as the DA Provincial Leader in Mpumalanga for seven years and eight months – a great innings by any measure - and announce today that I will not stand for re-election as the DA’s Provincial Leader.

I have been honoured to serve the DA and the people of Mpumalanga as the Provincial Leader since being elected in 2007, re-elected in 2009 and 2011. I have never taken the confidence placed in me by the DA, its public representatives and our members for granted and have always strive to lead our party with distinction. I believe that after a long and successful tenure it is time to afford a new leader the opportunity to take the reins and lead our party to even greater heights and successes.

During my term as leader the DA has transformed dramatically. We have consistently grown our share of the vote in every election, attaining over 138000 votes in 2014. We have and continue to make major in-roads into ANC strongholds, having won several ANC wards over the past seven years.

We have grown our party to be represented in every single municipality in the province. We have professionalized our internal systems and procedures and established the DA firmly as the official opposition in Mpumalanga and the only alternative to the ANC.

I have pioneered many projects and led dozens of campaigns and events to ensure that the DA’s blue wave is permanently entrenched in the lives of our provinces people. I am proud of what I and my fellow leadership team have achieved over the past seven years. I have led an exceptional team and have been supported by the best, to who I owe much gratitude, and I am humbled by the exceptional privilege I have had to lead our magnificent organisation.

However, I firmly believe in change and that change brings growth. Our country faces enormous political challenges and the DA has a responsibility and mandate to protect and save our young and fragile democracy. To do so effectively we must grow our party and win elections. Thus the change I envisage is based on our desire to grow the DA, to make our party more attractive to all South Africans, to build a new majority and position the party for victory.

I have thought deeply about the future of the DA, which I serve with selfless dedication and conviction and believe that my decision to facilitate change at the most senior level in our province is the right one, and one which will entrench our party as the champions of democracy and activate the motions of growth as we embark on the road path to 2016, 2019 and beyond.

I will continue to serve as Provincial leader until March 2015, I will continue to serve the DA and the people of our province in the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature and I look forward to building my political career within the DA both provincially and nationally, to be of service to our party, our community and our country.

I am as committed as ever to the DA, its values, principles and beliefs and will continue to contribute to realizing the DA dream of establishing an Open and Opportunity filled society in South Africa, a prosperous and truly great nation.