PHUTI MOSOMANE
FOR the third consecutive time, delegates at the Democratic Alliance (DA) congress currently underway in Midrand have rejected the proposal to introduce a Deputy Federal leader position within the party structures.
Nearly 2,000 delegates considered 83 constitutional amendments.
Three amendments were about Chapter 6 of the DA’s Constitution, including the introduction of the Deputy Federal leader failed to secure enough support.
In proposing the amendment, Sakhile Mngadi argued that creating a Deputy leader position would promote executive continuity, stability, and effectiveness by expanding access to the executive and ensuring that roles, access, availability, and workload are shared among prominent party members.
“The reality is that, the DA needs to position itself as a solid front going into 2024 and 2026. The establishment of this role will effect positive change in the realisation of our growth and future prospects,” Mngadi argued.
However, Solomon Maila opposed the proposal, arguing that introducing the amendments would create an impression that whoever assumes the deputy leader role will eventually become the party leader.
” We are all human, any person elected as a federal deputy leader will automatically expect to succeed or be the preferred candidate for the position of Federal leader whenever a vacancy arises,” said Maila.
“The principle should always be that any member of the DA in good standing, regardless of his/her position at a given point shall be eligible to contest any constitutional position.”
Alexandra Abrahams suggested that given that all positions have a deputy, a federal leader should have a deputy as well.
Elizabeth Maria Neilson said: “I do not support as this could create an expectation that the federal deputy leader will step into the shoes of the federal leader or be entitled to be elected as a leader.”
Frederick Nortjie Van Huyssteen said: “This was rejected by the last Congress when it was proposed by Mbali Ntuli by a massive majority.”
There is no reason for a deputy federal leader when we have a federal Chairperson and three deputy federal Chairpersons- these leaders should be able to lead and do the day-to-day activities of the party.”
In the last two congresses, this resolution failed to get the necessary majority and support.
INSIDE POLITICS
