Helen Zille hits the campaign trail in the garden route

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

DA leader Helen Zille kicked off her election campaign in Knysna on Friday - just days after announcing Agang SA leader Mamphela Ramphele will be the DA's presidential candidate in the upcoming general elections.

Since the announcement - one of the criticisms have been that the move could potentially have a negative impact on male voters as Rhamphele is the fourth woman appointed in a high profile leadership role within the DA.

Zille does not believe women leadership should be an issue.

"We lead, we dont follow, any man who is put of by having woman leadership cant really support the DA. If we make mistakes as leaders it is not because we are woman but because we are human" she said

During her Knysna visit, Zille met with local ratepayers and residents of the surrounding townships.

She'll also be visiting various housing projects within the region including Touwsranten near Wilderness, Rosedale on the outskirts of George, Thembalethu at Grootbrak, Kwanonqaba near Mossel Bay and finally Albertinia.

Meanwhile: Zille and her party's presidential candidate, Mamphela Ramphele, will hit the campaign trail together for the first time on Monday.

The two will mark the 24th anniversary of the announcement of Nelson Mandela's release from prison in Johannesburg.

They will host a media briefing where the DA will formally welcome Dr Ramphele and members of Agang SA.

The following day the two will embark on the 'Together for Change' road show which will start with a march to the ANC headquarters at Luthuli House.

The two will then embark on a country-wide road-show to engage with communities and showcase their shared vision of the future.