DA's Cape Town congress: JP Smith tipped to trounce Zahid Badroodien for top job
JP Smith, who is the mayoral committee member for safety and security, is up against Zahid Badroodien, the mayoral committee member of water and sanitation, for the metro chairperson position. JP Smith, the head of the mayoral committee member for safety and security in Cape Town, is tipped to beat Zahid Badroodien for the metro chairperson position. Smith, who is also a member of water and sanitation, is up against Badroodsien for this position. The party is preparing for its provincial congress in November. Stakes are high ahead of the 2024 national and provincial elections. Smith plans to focus on improving communication with voters, restructuring its regional executive functions, expanding training for councillors, and developing more support for the DA in local spheres of government. In the 2014 provincial elections, the DA received 59.38% of votes cast in the Western Cape, which dropped to 55.45% in 2019.
Publicados : 2 anos atrás por Marvin Charles no Politics
• DA members are gearing up for the metro regional congress in Cape Town.
• JP Smith is vying for the metro chairperson position against Zahid Badroodien.
• These are high stakes for the DA ahead of the 2024 national and provincial elections.
Smith, who is the mayoral committee member for safety and security, is up against Zahid Badroodien, the mayoral committee member of water and sanitation, for the metro chairperson position.
The metro regional congress comes as the party gears up to hold its provincial congress in November. Stakes are high for the DA ahead of the 2024 national and provincial elections.
During municipal elections in 2016, the party had outright control of 15 municipalities in the Western Cape. However, in 2021, it held a majority in only eight municipalities.
The party's support has also been dwindling in provincial elections. In the 2014 provincial elections, the DA received 59.38% of votes cast in the Western Cape, which dropped to 55.45% in 2019.
Smith, who is one of the party's most seasoned candidates, told News24 he would be building on improving communication with voters, restructuring how its regional executive functions, expanding training for councillors, and developing more support for the DA in local spheres of government.
"I never take anyone's vote for granted. I have called every delegate I could get hold of and supplied every delegate with information about my experience, commitment and vision for the coming term," he said.
WATCH | Some opposition parties locked out of Cape Town council meeting after disruptions mar sitting
Smith, who was appointed as the head of the security portfolio in 2009, has faced criticism regarding his handling of the recent minibus taxi violence.
In August, the City's council sitting descended into chaos after rowdy EFF members demonstrated and interrupted the address of mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis.
The members carried placards, which read "JP Smith must fall"; they were ordered to leave by the Speaker, Felicity Purchase.
Smith told News24 he was "simply just doing his job".
"I am focusing on taking the metro forward as this City will play a crucial role in bringing out as many votes as possible in the national and provincial elections next year to rescue South Africa from five more years of ANC rule," he said.
Smith added that he would focus on improving the party's ability to contact and engage voters, and enhance its ability to train and develop new and young leadership.
Badroodien, who is a medical doctor, is the youngest contender for the position, aged 32. He was introduced to the council back in 2016.
Last year, he stepped down from his position after allegations emerged that he had tampered with an electricity meter box on his property.
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Speaking to News24 on Friday, he said he was busy with the last hours of canvassing ahead of the regional congress.
"I am optimistic about Saturday. It has been a demanding campaign trying to contact every single delegate personally. I am running an independent campaign not linked to any slate. This is a watershed election for our metro. We have an opportunity now to choose a candidate that is fit-for-purpose and future-focused," he said.
Badroodien believes the party must grow to make a meaningful contribution to the national and provincial elections next year.
"My focus will be to energise our branches in preparation for this major election and to invest in the development of individual members of our party, so that they can robustly and actively engage in this crucial campaign," he said.
Meanwhile, party insiders told News24 the odds were likely to be in Smith's favour - and predicted that he would win by a landslide.
"JP will absolutely, undeniably, be the best person for the job. JP is tried and tested, and he's made a huge effort to bring everyone into the fold. He understands our job in Cape Town, ahead of the 2024 election, is to get our party over the line to challenge for power nationally," an insider said.
Tópicos: Congress