FORMER Western Cape DA leader Bonginkosi Madikizela has launched his campaign to retain the position ahead of the party’s local elective congress.
Madikizela resigned from his position in April 2021 amid a qualification scandal.
On Saturday, 7 October, Madikizela launched his campaign in Mitchells Plain, Western Cape, to retain his position ahead of the party’s internal elections set for November 2023.
“I feel I have unfinished business. That's why it's important to start where I have left off,” said Madikizela.
Several DA leaders and businessmen attended the event endorsing Madikizela. One of the notable faces was Raybin Figland, the deputy mayor of George Municipality who called for voters to rally behind Madikizela on the day.
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“It's your responsibility, and it's my responsibility that all delegates who participate in the congress must rally behind Bonginkosi Madikizela. He is a leader who takes responsibility for something that went wrong. He is a leader who can man up and say, 'I've done something wrong'. 'I take responsibility'. This is what Bonginkosi Madikizela is,” said Figland.
Madikizela said his intention, if he is elected as leader, is to work towards positioning DA’s clean governance at the national level.
“People from other provinces will start to taste some of the benefits that the people of Western Cape are enjoying,” he said.
Madikizela came under fire in 2021 over the allegations that he lied about having a BCom degree on his biography when it was incomplete.
The saga forced Madikizela to resign from both his position as an MEC for transport and public works, as well as his provincial leadership position. Since then, Madikizela was silent and emerged this year fighting to retain his former position.
