Johannesburg - Mmusi Maimane, after a week of speculation, has accepted nomination to stand as the DA's leader, saying it is his chance to "restore hope" in the country's future.
"It has not been an easy decision," he said in a letter sent to the DA's public representatives on Saturday morning.
"I have thought long and hard about what it means for my young family. And I have had to consider whether the timing is right.
"In the end, I decided to accept this nomination because it is a unique opportunity to restore hope in the nation's future," he said.
The announcement comes a week after current party leader Helen Zille announced that she would not be standing for re-election as the party's leader.
At the time of the announcement Maimane was mum on whether he was considering standing for the position.
But from the start there was speculation that he would be the frontrunner for the job.
In the letter, Maimane said the future of the country depended on the DA.
He said the next task was to take the DA to the next level.
"We need to build on the successes of those who went before us by becoming a party that can challenge for power on the national stage.
"This is my offer to you: A stronger DA for a better South Africa. Together, we can grow and we can win," Maimane said at the end of his letter.
News24
