<p>South Africa's largest opposition party on Saturday held a hotly contested two-way race for new leadership in a historic virtual vote seen as a turning point in an organisation dogged by racial tension.</p>.<p>The winner who emerges will seek to reinvigorate the Democratic Alliance (DA) ahead of the next presidential election in 2024 against the ruling African National Congress (ANC).</p>.<p>The centre-right DA suffered a bruising loss in last year's presidential election, coming second after it garnered only 20.7 percent of votes compared to 22.2 percent previously.</p>.<p>It was then hit by a sudden mass exodus of black leaders who claimed the party was racist.</p>.<p>Competing for the party leadership are John Steenhuisen, who has acted as interim party leader since its first black leader quit over a year ago, and youthful, energetic Mbali Ntuli who promises to inspire South Africans to get behind the DA.</p>.<p>The DA was formed in 2000 as a merger of three mostly white parties.</p>.<p>It has been plagued by internal factions, stoked by its electoral slump in the 2019 national and provincial elections.</p>.<p>"Battle-ready" Steenhuisen, 44, who boasts a 22-year track record in the party, reminded delegates that "when the going got tough, I made sure the DA got going."</p>.<p>"We have repaired the holes in our fuselage. We have installed powerful new jet engines," he said in his final address to delegates before voting commenced.</p>.<p>"The turbulence is over, and the next leg of our journey has begun."</p>.<p>Steenhuisen is up against former DA youth leader and current Kwa-Zulu Natal legislature member Ntuli, 32, who has been highly critical of the "cult-like", "insider and outsider clique" culture of the party.</p>.<p>"We need a new way of politics," said Ntuli.</p>.<p>"A way that shows that we are serious about taking this government that has impunity and looting and corruption out of office," she said taking a jab at the ruling ANC which has been marred by corruption.</p>.<p>The young Black woman stressed that inclusivity, diversity and equality would be key principles under her leadership.</p>.<p>On account of the coronavirus pandemic, the party's over 2,00 delegates will vote digitally for their prefered candidate.</p>.<p>The results will be announced on Sunday.</p>
<p>South Africa's largest opposition party on Saturday held a hotly contested two-way race for new leadership in a historic virtual vote seen as a turning point in an organisation dogged by racial tension.</p>.<p>The winner who emerges will seek to reinvigorate the Democratic Alliance (DA) ahead of the next presidential election in 2024 against the ruling African National Congress (ANC).</p>.<p>The centre-right DA suffered a bruising loss in last year's presidential election, coming second after it garnered only 20.7 percent of votes compared to 22.2 percent previously.</p>.<p>It was then hit by a sudden mass exodus of black leaders who claimed the party was racist.</p>.<p>Competing for the party leadership are John Steenhuisen, who has acted as interim party leader since its first black leader quit over a year ago, and youthful, energetic Mbali Ntuli who promises to inspire South Africans to get behind the DA.</p>.<p>The DA was formed in 2000 as a merger of three mostly white parties.</p>.<p>It has been plagued by internal factions, stoked by its electoral slump in the 2019 national and provincial elections.</p>.<p>"Battle-ready" Steenhuisen, 44, who boasts a 22-year track record in the party, reminded delegates that "when the going got tough, I made sure the DA got going."</p>.<p>"We have repaired the holes in our fuselage. We have installed powerful new jet engines," he said in his final address to delegates before voting commenced.</p>.<p>"The turbulence is over, and the next leg of our journey has begun."</p>.<p>Steenhuisen is up against former DA youth leader and current Kwa-Zulu Natal legislature member Ntuli, 32, who has been highly critical of the "cult-like", "insider and outsider clique" culture of the party.</p>.<p>"We need a new way of politics," said Ntuli.</p>.<p>"A way that shows that we are serious about taking this government that has impunity and looting and corruption out of office," she said taking a jab at the ruling ANC which has been marred by corruption.</p>.<p>The young Black woman stressed that inclusivity, diversity and equality would be key principles under her leadership.</p>.<p>On account of the coronavirus pandemic, the party's over 2,00 delegates will vote digitally for their prefered candidate.</p>.<p>The results will be announced on Sunday.</p>