Following his landslide victory on Sunday, Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has vowed to use his second term at the helm of the party, fighting to ensure the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) never rises to power.
A buoyant Steenhuisen addressed the conference shortly after the results were announced and named the EFF leader Julius Malema as the number one enemy of the DA.
“EFF doomsday will make the collapse of Zimbabwe look like a dress rehearsal. That’s why the DA will make it our number one priority to stop the EFF-African National Congress (ANC) coalition from taking over,” he said to a cheering crowd.
“For the past 30-years, the ANC has proven itself to be an opponent of progress in our country, but make no mistake the EFF, is it’s enemy. The EFF will expropriate property without compensation and abolish private property rights; the EFF coalition will nationalise and destroy foreign banks, investment, mines and other investments in the country”.
Steenhuisen said the EFF-ANC coalition has already taken over in Gauteng Metros and will next year go national if voters don’t vote for the DA.
Steenhuisen is adamant that the ANC will lose more support during next year’s general elections presenting an opportunity for a DA takeover.
Steenhuisen also took aim at the so-called smaller parties which he accused of dividing the opposition vote.
“The DA is the only party big and strong enough that can stop Julius Malema, we have the size, the resources and the track record to oppose the doomsday coalition.”
Without giving numbers Steenhuisen was declared a winner at the conference, defeating former Joburg Mayor Dr Mpho Phalatse.
Helen Zille also retained her position as Council Federal Chairperson where she was uncontested.
The position of Federal Finance Chairperson went to Dion George who was challenged by Lungile Phenyane for the position but later withdrew.
Ivan Meyer was re-elected as Federal Chairperson. JP Smith was elected first Deputy Chairperson, Solly Malatsi was Second Deputy and Anton Bredell was the Third Deputy.
