Former Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille is back with a bang.
Zille has been elected as the DA’s Federal Council (FedCo) chairperson at the party’s council meeting in Johannesburg this weekend.
With an internal push for the removal of DA leader Mmusi Maimane, Zille’s victory is viewed as a serious blow for Maimane. Zille was among those who were critical of Maimane’s leadership.
Ahead of the meeting, Zille had undertaken to return the party to its original roots if she were elected. She questioned the party’s direction under Maimane.
She replaces veteran council chairman James Selfe, who has stepped down after announcing his intention to resign the position after the 8 May general elections.
She received 67 votes, followed by Athol Trollip with 52 votes, the remaining votes were between Michael Waters and Thomas Walters.
Trollip, who is also the federal chairperson of the DA, was seen as the only ally of Maimane among the contenders for the post, which is seen as equal to being the de facto chief executive of the party.
In a statement after the two-day sitting of the council yesterday, Maimane said the election of a new federal council chairperson “presents an opportunity for renewal and change for the DA”.
“I want to congratulate Helen Zille on her election as chairperson of federal council, and I look forward to the new energy, ideas, and vigour that Helen will bring to the leadership collective of the party.
“Helen has served the party in various positions over the past years, and brings experience and political clout second to none.”