Former Democratic Alliance Parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko has squashed rumours that she could be returning to South Africa to stand for the top position in the opposition party.
“I wish to clarify that I will not be making myself available for election to any leadership post at the DA’s 2015 congress,” she said in a statement on Monday.
“Rather, I will be watching and supporting my friends, colleagues and fellow democrats from across the Atlantic.”
This followed an announcement by DA leader Helen Zille on Sunday that she would not stand for re-election at the party’s federal congress in Port Elizabeth next month.
Studying at Harvard
Mazibuko quit her job at the DA last year following the general elections. She left to study at Harvard University in America.
At the time, Mazibuko made the announcement to the Sunday Times before she had informed party leader Helen Zille.
The two had reportedly fallen out in November 2013 over the way in which the DA parliamentary caucus handled legislation on employment equity.
Mazibuko on Monday said she remained committed to South Africa and the DA and would make herself available for a position at a later stage.
Contribution
“I believe that I have much to contribute to the project of building a better country for all our people… When the time is right, I will make myself available for whichever position I believe will enable me to best make a contribution towards building a better South Africa.
“That time, however, is not now.”
She wished the candidate or candidates who would stand well in the upcoming leadership campaign and election.
According to City Press, the DA has extended the deadline for nominations by four days following Zille’s announcement. Nominations were meant to close on April 20.
News24
Cape Town Image: South Africa – Cape Town Langa Township