New candidate for DA leadership


By Tarryn Le Chat
12 January 2007

Democratic Alliance (DA) member, Athol Trollip, has announced his candidacy to succeed Tony Leon as leader of the party.

Forty-two-year old Trollip believes he will bring a new dimension to the party. He is fluent in Xhosa and says he will be able to get the support of black people in the country.

“I have a Mandela child and support the new South Africa. I believe that I will play a vital role as party leader even though it will be difficult to fill the shoes of Tony Leon. I am up too it. Leon has taken the DA to new heights in politics”, he said.

Tony Leon, DA leader, has made it known that he will not seek to be re-elected as party leader, but will remain in Parliament until the 2009 elections.

This comes at a time when the African National Congress (ANC) is seeking for a successor for President Thabo Mbeki.

Trollip believes that 2007 will be a watershed year for South Africans as both parties will be electing new party leaders in the same year.

“I plan to lead an offensive strategy into the constituency that will accelerate the growth of our party and directly threaten the ANC party over government outside the Western Cape. ANC voters have been duped and disappointed by the government who have become egotistical and arrogant”, said Trollip.

Mayoral spokesperson Robert McDonald has confirmed that Helen Zille is still weighing up her options and consulting with her council before she makes a decision as to be a candidate to succeed Leon.


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