DA set to swallow ID
2010-05-03 10:31
Cape Town – The ID is on the verge of being swallowed by the DA, and the ID leader, Patricia de Lille, is expected to be elected to one of the DA's two top posts along with Helen Zille.
Die Burger learned on Sunday from sources within the DA that De Lille would be nominated as the DA's national chairperson at the party congress at the end of July. She would have to become a member of the DA before she could be nominated.
Joe Seremane, who is currently in this position, is to retire from politics and as an MP this year. In August, he turns 72.
Zille is expected to be re-elected as DA leader unopposed.
Neither Zille nor De Lille's offices would confirm the rumours on Sunday. Zille was not available for comment.
Opposition co-operation
De Lille said since the ID congress in March, when four opposition parties - the DA, ID, Cope and UDM - had discussed the possibility of a co-operation front, they had not yet met again. "There was no talk of any positions," said De Lille and added that the parties agreed in principle, but the deadline for feedback was August.
Cope's congress is set to take place this month.
The DA's leader in Parliament, Athol Trollip, announced about three weeks ago at a caucus meeting that he was not intending running for any of the top national posts.
Trollip, who was the DA leader in the Eastern Cape, and Seremane, had competed against Zille in 2007 to succeed Tony Leon as leader.
He told Die Burger he would not compete for any of the seven national leadership positions.
"(Ms) Zille does incredibly good work and will give momentum to the party by taking it to the next election."
James Selfe, chairperson of the DA's federal council, said he could shed no light on the rumours about De Lille. He did say, however, that before De Lille could be nominated as chairperson of the DA, she had to join the party.
DA congress
The organising committee for the DA's congress still had to determine a deadline for nomination lists, but this was expected a week before the congress.
Seremane said he would welcome Zille and De Lille "any time" in his cabinet.
"It is about which contribution you make to the country and not about positions."
About his retirement from politics, he said it was time that he made way for younger people. "I don't want to copy uncle Bob (Mugabe)," he joked.
The DA congress is expected to be held on July 25 and 26 in Cape Town.