The Leader of the Democratic Alliance Mmusi Maimane was in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday to announce the party's premier candidate for the Eastern Cape, for the upcoming 2019 General elections.
Maimane, who referred to Nqaba Bhanga as a dear friend whom he deeply respects, said that Bhanga was an individual who serves the people of this Province.
Maimane said Bhanga excelled in his role as Provincial Leader this past year and that the decision to ratify his nomination as Premier Candidate, was an easy one to make.
"Nqaba, along with an experienced team, will spend the next few months taking the DA's message of a prosperous, inclusive South Africa, built on a foundation of freedom, fairness, opportunity, and diversity, to all four corners of this province. He will speak to thousands of people young and old, black and white, in cities, towns and rural areas, about what they want from a government, and what the DA can offer them," he said.
Maimane also commented on what happened in the local government election of 2016 describing it as a significant event to the country as a whole.
"The ramifications of what happened in Nelson Mandela Bay - where the ANC was unseated by a DA-led coalition in 2016 - continue to reverberate throughout our country, and the recent attempt by the ANC/EFF alliance to steal back the city is a testament to the high stakes involved here," he said.
Maimane said he had full confidence in Bhanga to not only deliver the message of change to the people but to also to run the Eastern Cape as a Premier who cares and understands the challenges of the people.
