2015 Democratic Alliance Federal Congress

The Democratic Alliance held its 6th Federal Congress in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape from 9 May to 10 May 2015. After incumbent leader Helen Zille announced she would not seek reelection, the congress became focused on the contest to succeed her.

Election for Party Leader

When the nominations deadline had passed, four candidates for the leadership had been put forward: Federal Chairperson Wilmot James, Parliamentary Leader Mmusi Maimane, Adrian Naidoo, and Morgan Oliphant^[1]

In the month leading to the vote, the two leading candidates, James and Maimane, traded barbs over issues such party democracy, transparency, and who would be most successful in challenging the ruling African National Congress. The two candidates addressed the provincial party congress in KwaZulu-Natal where James challenged Mamaine to a series of debates.^[2]

Continuing his criticism of Maimane's commitment to intra-party democracy and transparency, James released his list of donors in the last week of the campaign and called on his rival to do the same.^[3]

On May 10, following a vote by party delegates, outgoing leader Helen Zille declared Mamaine as the duly elected leader of the Democratic Alliance. 93% of delegates voted in the leadership race.^[4] According to his campaign, Maimane won with 90% of the vote.^[5]

He is the first black South African to lead the party.^[6]

Other Internal Party Elections

Eastern Cape DA Leader Athol Trollip was elected as Federal Chairperson.

James Selfe was reelected unopposed as chair of the federal council. Alf Lees was elected federal finance chair. Thomas Walters was elected deputy chair of the federal council. Ivan Meyer, Refiloe Ntsekhem and Desiree van der Walt were elected as first, second, and third deputy chairs respectively.^[4][7]

References