Mbali Ntuli says she’s leaving the Democratic Alliance because of a lack of diversity in the party’s views. She's now opting to work with grassroots community structures. Ntuli resigned today as a member of the provincial legislature and DA member but the party says it’s not worried that her departure will cost votes. eNCA's Govan Whittles reports. Courtesy #DStv403

Press statement by
Mbali Ntuli MPL
Candidate for DA Leader
Let's make the DA work so that South Africa can work
07 July 2020
Release: Immediate


On 17 march I suspended my campaign for DA Leader so that all efforts could be better spent assisting communities that would be grappling with the effects of the global pandemic.

Now, however, given that we have reached Level 3 and are seeing the opening up of the country as it comes to terms with its new normal, I believe that it is appropriate to resume my campaign to become DA Leader.

In February 2020, I announced my candidacy for DA Leader. In doing so, I pledged my commitment to making the DA Kind, Strong and Fair again. I unpacked this offer and my manifesto plan in February and plan to resume sharing how I think the DA can get back on the winning track again.

In order for the DA to become a viable alternative to the incumbent government, we need to address a few things urgently.

Chief among them being that:

1. We need to ensure that our party is a party where everyone feels that they belong, they are included and that they meaningfully represented.
2. We need to address the issue of redress. We have to be a party that is clear and unambiguous about where we stand when it comes to issues of social justice and economic justice in this country.

If we cannot communicate our position clearly on where we stand with respect to issues like employment, housing and redress, the vast majority of South Africans will not listen to us.

This is why I will continue my bid to reach out to delegates across the country asking for their support to become their next DA Leader as I believe that I am the best candidate to grow the party in new markets.

I will also resume unpacking the offer that I had begun to share on how we create a party that is more inclusive and on how we reach out to as many South Africans as possible and how we together can start formulating the strategic direction of our party into new territory. I want, amongst other things, for our party to speak more on green economy issues. I would also like us to grapple with how we integrate communities that have been spatially and socially excluded for centuries. Additionally I would like to work together to find the best experts to help us think of out of the box solutions to our youth unemployment problem.

I'm ready to lead the party into a bold new era where we work with South Africans to build a South Africa we all want to live in.

It is unfortunate that 26 years into our democracy, poverty in South Africa still has a colour. As the DA we need to have these conversations because the state has failed to meaningfully address the legacy of Apartheid.

Too many young people are sitting at home with no options and no way to improve their lives. This must be our most pressing issue. We cannot stop until we can make sure that young South Africans of all races are included in our economy.

Make no mistake; the Democratic Alliance is at a crossroads.

We can either choose to continue on our current trajectory of being a 20% party that represents the voices of a few, or, under my leadership, we can cultivate a new way.

A new way that will grow the DA and get South Africans trust back.

We can become a party that listens to all its constituents and importantly where every member has a voice.