DA candidates are ‘best and brightest SA has to offer’ – Zille

Lester Kiewit speaks to Helen Zille, DA Federal Council Chairperson.

Listen to the interview in the audio below.

The DA put forward their list of 30 candidates for seats in the National Assembly and NCOP after the elections on 29 May.

According to Zille, the party goes through a rigorous process to appoint their public representative candidates, including tests and a screening committee.

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This is to ensure that the nominations are made entirely based on merit and the process takes almost a year.

“When we are looking for MPs and MPLs, we are looking for people who can govern. These are very complex jobs.”

- Helen Zille, DA Federal Council Chairperson

She adds that they do not limit their candidates to people who are already within the party’s ranks.

“We looked far and wide for the very best and brightest South Africa has to offer.”

- Helen Zille, DA Federal Council Chairperson

The following are among those on the list:

•            Jeanne Adriaanse (senior councillor in JB Marks);

•            Mlondi Mdluli (economist at a leading think tank);

•            Edwin Macrae Bath (public sector built environment specialist);

•            Khathutshelo Rasilingwane (deputy chief whip of the DA in Ekurhuleni);

•            Mark Burke (PhD in Econometrics from Cambridge);

•            Ian Cameron (community safety activist);

•            Liam Jacobs (leader of the DA Students Organisation);

•            Kabelo Kgobisa (COO of a major communications firm);

•            Dulandi Leech (senior councillor in Mangaung);

•            Karl le Roux (medical doctor);

•            Kabelo Mogatosi (former MMC for Roads in NMB).

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full interview.