CAPETOWN – This comes after the party released a list of leaders who will stand as premier candidates. PA leader Gayton McKenzie is now expected to be the party’s premier candidate in the Western Cape.
On Monday, McKenzie, who was mayor of the Central Karoo District, announced his intention to unseat the DA in the province.
“On Baiza Nie appointed me to what many consider to be a mission impossible, to remove the DA from the Western Cape. We are in the process of debunking this myth. I have graciously accepted the task of also being the premier candidate for the Western Cape. Die ding kom ruk,” McKenzie said on social media on Monday.
In a statement confirming the announcement, the party said a meeting in George last weekend concluded that McKenzie should represent the party as its premier candidate in the province.
“At a meeting of the Patriotic Alliance National Executive Committee in George in the Western Cape last weekend, it was agreed that PA leader Gayton McKenzie would be the party’s first candidate in the Western Cape.
“Our leader has already distinguished himself in the province as Executive Mayor of the Central Karoo and has a bold vision for governing the Western Cape, which has become a stronghold for the PA, as demonstrated by the recent by-election victories in the province,” the party said.
It said McKenzie remained its presidential candidate for the national election.
“As leader of the party, McKenzie will also stand as the PA’s presidential candidate if the PA is able to form a national coalition after the May 29 elections. This possibility will be explored, but leader McKenzie has committed himself to leading the Western Cape, as it is now clear that the province will be heavily hung and the PA is likely to emerge as kingmaker, including Gauteng, which is being contested by PA deputy president Kenny Kunene,” the party said.
