2019: status quo vs. change to unite

 On Monday 6 November 2017 the governing party in the second largest municipality – and thus biggest constituency – in the province elects a new leadership.

This internal election is the first since the 2016 local government election. Following that election the party not only became the first political party to win a consecutive local government election in Drakenstein, but also increased their vote with nearly 10%.  

In 2016 the DA increased their support in the Paarl East – coloured – area, especially Chicago, Amstelhof, Nederburg, Denneburg. The DA also took two ANC stronghold wards, Gouda and Simondium with 60 and 62% respectively. It however did not show any major increase in so-called “white-areas”. In Wellington the DA’s support took a dip in most of the wards.

Above statistics are important if one considers the candidates contesting the internal election. Both candidates for chairperson are from the Paarl-East area, while those standing for deputy are from Wellington and Northern-Paarl. Two of the candidates vying for secretary are from Mbekweni and the other from Paarl-East. The treasurer position is the only uncontested position and incumbent, Gert Combrink – who also happens to be the DA West Region Treasurer – will return for another term.

There appears to only be one slate, with all other candidates campaigning as individuals. Considering the 2016 outcome and party’s targets for 2019, the expectation is that the party would focus at having a more diverse team on local level, representing all the areas of the Constituency. For some time now the DA’s been trying to make inroads in Mbekweni. Having two of three candidates for a position from the area will most likely split the votes from Mbekweni. Two of the three standing for secretary are former activist and first time councillors and the third a former ANC Councillor, with more political experience than her competitors. My expectation from any secretary is also to atleast be able to spell or use spell-checker. From her campaign post though it would appear as if this is a weakness of one of the candidates – she even managed to get the names and titles wrong of those on her slate.

The competition for deputy chairperson is between a “veteran” and an activist. What delegates might want to consider is where the two candidates campaigned during the 2016 local elections, the DA’s support dropped in the area the one campaigned and increased in the area the other one campaigned. Both seem committed to the cause; just one is on a slate and the other not. And that will either turnout to be good or bad.

Perhaps important to remind oneself the DA believes in freedom, fairness and opportunity. It also preaches separation of party and state. Some examples are during Helen Zille’s term as party leader in Parliament Sandra Botha, Athol Trollip, Lindiwe Mazibuko and Mmusi Maimane occupied the role of Parliamentary Leader (Leader of the Official Opposition).
In the Western Cape with Helen Zille leading the provincial government, Theuns Botha, Ivan Meyer, Patricia de Lille and Bonginkosi Madikizela was party leader.

In the City of Cape Town Helen Zille, Dan Plato and Patricia de Lille led the local government, while Grant Pascoe, Shaun August and now Grant Twigg led the party in the metro.

The race for Chairperson is always interesting, and it becomes even more interesting when one of the candidates is a woman. 

Note despite Helen Zille’s successful tenure as party leader, the DA has not exactly broken the glass ceiling for woman leaders in the party. 

Delegates will have to vote between incumbent Chairperson, Conrad Poole, and outgoing Secretary, Wendy Philander.

I have the privilege to have gotten to known both candidates – both caring individuals, who want to make the world better. Both I gotten to know before they became councillors, ironically ward councillors. I saw the election of Conrad during a by-election and Wendy in 2011. During their term as ward councillors both worked hard and people of their wards still hold them in high regard – because both continue to work hard for the people they serve.

Both candidates have used each opportunity that crossed their path.

Wendy, current DA Women’s Network Chairperson, was also part of a Swedish exchange program for woman in local government – something I still think Drakenstein should, but they not, use to their advantage. She served one term on the executive mayoral committee, in the key portfolio of housing.

Conrad was recently elected as DA West Region Deputy Chairman and on the provincial executive as additional member. He’s in his third term as councillor and current executive mayor.

Conrad’s campaign is based on the success of the party under his leadership. The party grew from receiving 32% of the vote in 2006 to 66% in 2016, not without teething problems.

Wendy’s campaign is based on the party’s mission of Freedom, Fairness & Opportunity, creating a platform to develop the next generation, making progress together.

Doing research for this blog it became evident that the party is very much divided. This week DA founder Helen Suzman would have celebrated her centenary. Will Drakenstein’s gift to her be that the status quo is enough to carry the party to 2019 or will the party heading towards 2019, change; unite and develop to increase its support?