Tearful Trollip thanks family for ‘sacrifices’

OUTGOING DA Eastern Cape leader Athol Trollip was moved to tears in East London yesterday as he reflected on how he could not give more time to his family because of the party’s enormous workload.

Addressing the party’s Eastern Cape elective conference at the East London International Convention Centre, Trollip apologised to his family for not being with them when they needed him most.

“I want to thank my family and to pay tribute to them. I also want to apologise to my children who sacrificed so much (for me). I sent them an SMS apologising to them for not having time with them,” Trollip said as he wept, providing a sombre note at the congress.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality executive mayor, who has since remarried, described his divorce over three years ago as “a low profile point” in his life.

Speaking to Independent Media, Trollip – who has been the leader of the DA in the Eastern Cape since 2002 – reminded delegates that unity and co-operation were important even after the congress.

“I have contested positions (nationally), won some and lost some.

“I contested against Helen Zille and lost, but never left the party. When you have elections there must be competition.

“In the last number of congresses (in the Eastern Cape), there was no candidate nominated so I was unopposed. That is why after 15 years I believe it’s time for the new leadership to come through because 15 years is a long time,” said Trollip.

Former Cope MP Nqaba Bha- nga, who is now a DA councillor in Nelson Mandela Bay, is running against Veliswa Mvenya for the position of provincial leader. Mvenya, a DA MPL, has been with the party for 17 years and has been credited by Trollip, who describes her as “his daughter”, for raising the party’s support among black communities in the province.

DA leader Mmusi Maimane as well as the party’s federal executive chairperson James Selfe paid tribute to Trollip yesterday.

Maimane said: “You have kept the values and principles of our organisation so well. You always stand firm on values and this is the reason the party kept growing in the province. Thanks for the way you led this province.”

Selfe said: “I met Trollip in 1995 and what an incredible person to work with. The DA worked better in the Eastern Cape under Athol’s leadership.”

The announcement of the outcomes of the provincial conference, which has been attended by about 450 delegates, will be made this morning when Maimane is also expected to make a keynote speech.