Helen Zille not on any of our lists, says Selfe

The party revealed its 200-long national candidates list at its offices in Bedfordview on Saturday afternoon.

“As far as Helen Zille is concerned, she’s not somebody that you can place anywhere. She is very much her own person and I am sure that after the election she will indicate what role she intends to play going forward. She’s not on any of our lists,” said DA Federal Chairperson, James Selfe.

Zille has served as Premier for the past ten years and will now forfeit her position after the May 8 elections.

According to Selfe, candidates on the party’s list were chosen according on merit.

He adds that race played an important role during the selection process.

“Race does play a role. We are a very diverse country and we’d like our lists to be as diverse as possible, because diversity is a great blessing and a great strength. We derive great insights and intelligence from the diversity of our list. Ultimately, we want our lists to be based on merit. The initial selection of candidates is always on a merit basis,” adds Selfe.

The party also introduced some of its new candidates on Saturday who came from across the country.