DA’s Maimane re-elected unopposed

DA LEADER Mmusi Maimane has strengthened his hand on power after he and his supporters won the debate over diversity in the leadership ranks of the organisation.

Yesterday Maimane, who was elected unopposed for another term, described the adoption of the diversity clause into the party’s constitution as a great stride that will make the official opposition more representative and welcoming to its members and supporters.

The DA concluded its two-day federal congress in Pretoria during which Maimane was re-elected unopposed and Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Athol Trollip won a hotly contested race against Tshwane Mayor Solly Msimanga for the position of DA federal chairperson.

The conference, which was the biggest in the party’s history, also saw the adoption of a recall clause, paving the way for the expulsion of Patricia De Lille as the Cape Town mayor.

In the lead-up to the federal congress, the debate around the diversity clause and proposed amendments divided the party, with the so-called black caucus saying the party’s composition of public representatives and staff compliment did not reflect the country’s demographics in terms of race and gender.

Those critical of the contents of the diversity clause accused the black caucus of “racial solidarity”, pointing out that sections of the amendments were bordering on introducing quotas.

Maimane has repeatedly reiterated his opposition to quotas, stressing that he had a responsibility to ensure diversity within the party.

The amendments made by delegates to the clause have helped strengthen it, Maimane said.

“The text as put forward was actually strengthened from the initial one,” he said.

The new diversity clause said South Africa was a richly diverse society and that its people came from different origins, worship in different ways and have different cultures and customs and that they were all unique individuals.