I would submit that Zille has long been the leader of the DA that its voters wanted, particularly in the Western Cape.  Were she fired by the DA Kangaroo Court as effectively instructed by Maimane, many of us in the W Cape would need to relook our support for the DA on a national basis (as opposed to local government.... and maybe, provincial). 
I had forgotten who Mbali Ntuli.... seems she was a DA Youth Leader in northern KZN... does anyone really care, especially why SA is imploding! 
Zille is not a racist and Maimane is.... Well let's say he should not speak out till he has engaged brain, including his 'political brain' regarding the core DA vote.

Nicholson is an Aussie reporter based in Johannesburg and his bias against Zille, unpleasant!