ATHOL TROLLIP FOR DA FEDERAL CHAIR

After much media speculation in the past weeks about me possibly contesting for the position of DA Federal Chairperson, I can today confirm that I will indeed be standing for this position.

Regardless of whether the position is being vacated or not, it is a position that I believe is worthy of contestation.

This position might be regarded in some circles as being somewhat "ceremonial", I in fact believe the contrary. This is a position that can and should be used to ensure a balance of views and opinions in the senior leadership echelon of the party.

In this regard I believe that I have developed a strong reputation of being frank and honest at all times and under all circumstances. I believe also that my 20 years of experience as a public representative in all three spheres of government is invaluable in this position especially when this is considered with my thirteen years' experience on the DA Federal Executive and Federal Council. Though long service is no guarantee of success/position, nor should it be, I believe that as our party goes through transition it will require the steady hand of tried and tested experience too.

I have contested against various candidates for various positions in the DA and one of its predecessor parties, the DP. I have lost some of these contests and I have won some. What I've never done is turn my back on the party, its objectives or my colleagues that succeeded against me. This is the essence of democracy that makes me a proud and steadfast, Democrat.

I am of the firm belief that the universal support I have been offered, in contesting this position, is based on my track record of leadership in my province and various other positions in the party. The DA in the Eastern Cape, under my leadership has grown from a very low threshold to where it is today as the official opposition. This growth has occurred in all communities across the province and has been most marked in the former non-traditional DA areas of our rural hinterland and our former homeland areas.

This growth has not happened solely because of my leadership, but has happened because of a united team effort of respected and reputable people who make up our provincial leadership team. The fact that I can speak 3 of our provincial languages fluently has facilitated my interaction and connection in all communities and made my leadership task easier.

I therefore am honoured and excited to announce my candidacy in this contest and I believe that I have the necessary credentials to succeed and be of service to the Democratic Alliance.

Statement issued by Athol Trollip MPL, Democratic Alliance Eastern Cape leader, March 27 2015

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