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Democratic Alliance Parliamentary Leader, Mmusi Maimane has announced his intention to run for the position of Federal Leader of the party.

Maimane confirmed this morning on 702 and Cape Talk's Weekend Breakfast show that he would in fact be campaigning for the role, with the hope of being elected come 9 May 2015.

Last week Sunday, leader of the Democratic Alliance, Helen Zille announced her intention to step down from her position at the helm of the party in May this year.

Speculation about who will take over from Zille have flared over the past week, with Maimane, Lindiwe Mazibuko, Athol Trollip and Patricia de Lille's names all coming up as potential candidates.

I thought at length about what it would mean for the people of this country, I love South Africa. I believe in the future of this country and I certainly made a commitment to serve the people of this country and so without fail after considering it, speaking to my family and also understanding what the implications of the decision were we feel at least it's worth putting our names in the hat.

— DA Parliamentary Leader, Mmusi Maimane

Mazibuko and de Lille have since confirmed that they do not intend to put up their names for the position.

Listen to Africa's conversation with Maimane below:

This article first appeared on 702 : Mmusi Maimane to run for DA leader