The race for the premiership of the Western Cape is on and at least two provincial cabinet members - DA Western Cape leader and Human Settlements MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela and Economic Opportunities MEC Alan Winde - have confirmed that they are in the running.
The DA has opened up nomi- nations for premier candidates in the different provinces ahead of next year’s elections, reports the Cape Argus.
Western Cape Premier Helen Zille said she will not be standing again.
Madikizela said he would be in the running, but stressed that being the provincial leader won’t give him an edge.
“Yes, I will be putting my name in the hat, but I will be subjected to the same processes as anybody else,” he said.
PROCESS: DA W.C. leader Bonginkosi Madikizela
“There is a selection panel that will apply their minds and make a determination. I feel strong enough to take over as premier as I have been in government for more than 10 years.”
Winde also confirmed he’s thrown his name into the hat for the top provincial post.
Other possible candidates include Finance MEC Ivan Meyer, Social Development MEC Albert Fritz and Local Government MEC Anton Bredell.
Anthony Benadie, DA provincial campaign manager, said interested party members had until tomorrow to submit their applications.
“We don’t have a final candidate list as yet. From here on we start with the selection process and other internal processes will also begin,” Benadie says.
“According to our schedule, we have a month to complete this process and will then announce the candidates for premier.”