Trollip backed for senior post
Maimane backers see ex-mayor as helping him strengthen grip
● DA leader Mmusi Maimane’s backers have identified former Nelson Mandela Bay metro mayor Athol Trollip as their preferred candidate to replace James Selfe as federal executive chair.
The party is expected to choose Selfe’s replacement at a federal council meeting scheduled for next month.
Selfe stepped down in June to head the DA’s new governance unit.
The Sunday Times understands that the decision to back Trollip was taken in “casual meetings” between provincial leaders and Maimane.
The move to replace Selfe with Trollip, a Maimane ally, is seen as part of attempts to shore up Maimane’s grip on the opposition party because there is a perception that he is not fully in charge.
Trollip is expected to go head-to-head for the post with Thomas Walters, who is now deputy federal executive chair.
Insiders say chief whip John Steenhuisen has confided to close associates that he no longer plans to stand for the position. He declined to comment.
The Sunday Times understands that those pushing for Trollip also back a proposal to have his current position as DA federal chair scrapped.
A DA insider said provincial leaders held regular “casual meetings” where they discussed the political climate and advised both Maimane and Trollip.
It was at those meetings, the source said, where the scrapping of Trollip’s current position was discussed.
Those in favour of doing away with the position argued that it came with no real power and was superfluous.
Proposals to scrap the position have already been made to Ryan Coetzee, who is leading the restructuring process in the party, the DA insider said. Coetzee declined to comment.
“The issue was raised there. Why was the position of federal chair created?
“That position, if a person looks at the constitution, has no real powers or authority,” the source said.
“Provincial leaders said [to Trollip]: ‘Here is an opportunity, stand for that [Selfe’s] position because the position that you have … actually has very little authority,’ ” said the insider.
The plan is for Trollip to move into the vacancy left by Selfe but keep his current position in the meantime.
“For us to do away with that position would mean a constitutional change, which can only happen when we go to a federal congress,” the DA source said. “But we can, in a way, supersede that by Athol becoming the [federal executive] chairperson.”
Those who support Trollip have argued that he is firm and not afraid to take decisions. Walters, they say, is a good strategist and avoids getting involved with one or other faction, but was perhaps slow to assert himself.
“The attribute that Thomas Walters has is the fact that he is a good strategist and a good project manager … The two [he and Trollip] would be complementing each other and that would strengthen the party,” said the insider.
Another DA leader said what counted against Trollip was that he was viewed as overbearing and difficult to work with.
“That position needs someone who will be able to work with everybody and he has built a reputation as a bully,” he said.
Another DA insider who was briefed about the former Nelson Mandela Bay mayor’s bid said he had the support of the party’s Gauteng leader John Moodey and its Eastern Cape leader Nqaba Bhanga.
Moodey declined to comment, saying nomination processes for the vacant position had not yet been opened.
But Bhanga confirmed to the Sunday Times that he would back Trollip if he made himself available.
Another DA leader in Gauteng said Walters had all the experience needed to take over from Selfe.
But if Trollip won the post, the party would have to forget about winning back Nelson Mandela Bay.
Contacted on Friday, Trollip declined to comment, saying he did not discuss internal party matters in the media.
Walters could not be reached for comment.