Bay DA backs Maimane and Trollip

Name of new party leader to be announced on Sunday afternoon

THE DA in Nelson Mandela Bay has thrown its weight behind Mmusi Maimane to take over the reins from leader Helen Zille at this weekend’s national federal congress. Athol Trollip also leads the pack as a firm favourite to be the party’s federal chairman.

Maimane has already received pledges from a number of provincial leaders, councillors in Gauteng and Cape Town, and DA Youth leader Yusuf Cassim.

Trollip has also been endorsed by a number of his colleagues.

The DA’s Bay caucus leader, councillor Retief Odendaal, said yesterday there was overwhelming support for Maimane within their caucus of 47 councillors.

“Less than a handful support Wilmot James for leader of the party.

“But our caucus is 100% behind Athol Trollip for chairperson,” Odendaal said.

He said the Eastern Cape arm of the party had lobbied to have the congress held in the Bay.

“It’s very strategic that we’re having the congress here. It indicates to people that we are serious about taking over this metro.

“The DA has made Nelson Mandela Bay its number one priority. We will win this metro in 2016,” Odendaal said.

The Bay’s Ngqura constituency leader, Nqaba Bhanga, said his constituency felt that Maimane and Trollip would be a dynamic duo.

“It would be for the benefit of the party to have those two working side by side. Mmusi will take the party forward and Trollip will bring the experience,” he said.

PE northern areas constituency leader Edmund van Vuuren said they too supported a Maimane-Trollip leadership.

“Maimane brings an aura that will attract the voters we are struggling to attract,” he said.

The southwest constituency leader, Bobby Stevenson, said while they had not had an official meeting to ask members who they would support, there was strong support for Maimane and Trollip.

“I believe they’ve got the drive and vision to take this party forward. They exemplify non-racialism,” Stevenson said.

In the areas surrounding the Bay, part- icularly in the Makana and Ndlambe area, Maimane has received the backing of the Frontier constituency members.

By Sunday afternoon, the 1 425 voting delegates, about 100 media representatives and 30 invited VIP guests will know the outcome of the leadership battle.

Congress convener Greg Krumbock explained that the voting delegates were made up of 193 MPs and MPLs, 820 councillors, 379 branch members and the balance comprised members of the DA Women’s Network, DA Youth and DA Abroad.

“The voting will take place from 6.30am until 8.30am on Sunday and then we go into a locked room and count the votes and rank every candidate.

“We will be ready at about 1pm with the results.

“On the Saturday, there will be a tribute to outgoing leader Helen Zille. On Saturday afternoon, we will present the Values Charter [and] 2029 Vision Statement.

“There have been a series of debates taking place across the country, so there isn’t going to be further debate from the candidates at the congress,” Krumbock said.

The Bay’s economy is set to get a boost as the DA delegates begin streaming in to Port Elizabeth from tomorrow.