Francois Rodgers wins DA KZN’s Provincial Leader race

The Democratic Alliance’s Chief Whip, Francois Rodgers has been announced as the party’s new provincial leader in KwaZulu-Natal for the next three years.

The DA in KZN held and concluded its long-delayed one-day provincial congress in hybrid mode on Saturday, 27 March 2021 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban. Rodgers beat his rivals, Nicole Graham who is the eThekwini Caucus Leader, and her deputy Emmanuel Mhlongo.

Rodgers is taking over from Zwakele Mncwango who has been the DA’s provincial leader for the past six years and publicly endorsed Rodgers.

WHO IS FRANCOIS RODGERS?

Francois Rodgers started his career as the only DA councillor in the Kokstad municipality in rural north-western KwaZulu-Natal. The 59-year-old has is currently serving as the Chief Whip in the KZN Legislature. He has previously served as deputy DA leader in KZN and other various positions.

Speaking after the congress Rodgers said the purpose of his job is to unite the DA in the province and to take the fight to the streets for the 2021 elections.

“My first task is to ensure that we put together a well-oiled machine involving our activists, branches, public representatives (councillors, MPs and MPLs) to ensure that we take the fight for the 2021 municipal elections. That is my main purpose as the DA Leader in KwaZulu-Natal.

Rodgers said that he believes that they (DA) can do what they did in 2019 (elections) and is looking forward to taking on the ANC. “We are aware of the current state of local government, particularly in Msunduzi and eThekwini. If we continue to allow the ANC-led and IFP-led municipalities to continue to fail in service delivery, there’s going to be nothing left for us as a province,” Rodgers said.

READ: DA KZN: Who will win the race for provincial leader?

OUTGOING LEADER DELIVERS LAST ADDRESS

The Democratic Alliance’s outgoing leader Zwakele Mncwango who has served for two terms as the Provincial Leader delivered his last address during the congress in Durban. Mncwango said that very year for the past six years there was an investigation against him.

“Every year, some of the people I worked with in the DA fabricated allegations against me but strange enough, I was never charged or appeared before a disciplinary committee.

“I have never had the privilege to enjoy support from national leadership like other provincial leaders but I kept going and strong,” Mncwango said.

OTHER DA KZN MEMBERS OF THE NEWLY ELECTED LEADERSHIP

DA KZN Deputy Leader – Chris Pappas

DA KZN Provincial Chairperson – Dean Macpherson

DA KZN Deputy Chairpersons – Shehana Kajee, Elma Rabe and Sithembiso Ngema