DA united behind project of building one
party & one SA for all
by Mmusi Maimane - Leader of the Democratic Alliance
Date: 20 October 2019
Release: immediate

Note to Editors: the following statement was delivered today by DA Leader, Mmusi
Maimane, following a two-day sitting of the party’s Federal Council. Maimane was
joined by newly elected chairperson of the Federal Council, Helen Zille, and DA national
spokespersons Solly Malatsi and Refiloe Nt’sekhe.
Over the past two days, the DA’s Federal Council (FedCo)– the party’s highest decisionmaking body in between Federal Congress – sat to elect a new Federal Council
Chairperson, and to consider the report of the Organisational Review Panel established
following the 2019 national and provincial elections.
Election of new chairperson of Federal Council
The election of a new Chairperson of Federal Council presents an opportunity for
renewal and change for the DA. The position was previously occupied by James Selfe,
who chaired FedCo for just under 20 years with the utmost distinction. I want to again
thank James for his leadership, support and friendship. James is an unsung hero of
South Africa’s democratic project and his valiant work has positively shaped our country.
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
Further, I want to call on all the candidates and members of the party to unite behind the
new FedCo Chairperson. The election and campaigns are over, and now is the time to
unite behind our common purpose.
Resolutions adopted
Federal Council considered the Organisational Review Panel’s report. Following

 extensive deliberation, Federal Council adopted the following resolutions.
1. That Federal Council expresses its appreciation to the members of the Review
Panel and thanks them for producing their report. Federal Council accepts the
report in principle and gives effect to recommendations in the following
resolutions.
2. That a Federal Congress be convened as soon as constitutionally possible,
bearing in mind the administrative processes which should be concluded as
quickly as possible to give effect to recommendations of the review process.
3. That a Policy Review Committee be established, convened by the newly elected
Chairperson of the Federal Council, to undertake a comprehensive policy review
of the Party’s positions on a number of key matters, most particularly on
economic justice and jobs. The process followed by the Policy Review Committee
must involve consultation with Party structures and should be discussed by
Provincial Councils. He or she must cause a policy conference to be convened
before the Federal Congress.
4. That Federal Executive determine the job description and key result areas for a
new Chief Executive Officer. Federal Executive should also appoint an
interviewing panel and should cause applications to be invited for this position as
soon as possible. As is provided for in the constitution, the Federal Executive
should appoint a CEO as soon as possible. The appointment be made for a
renewable five-year contract.
5. Dr Ivan Meyer, Deputy Federal Chairperson, must be charged with the
responsibility for building teams at all levels of leadership and that his proposals
in this respect should be considered by the Federal Council at its next meeting.
6. That an investigation, the membership of which is approved by the Federal
Executive, be undertaken under the leadership of Refiloe Nt’sekhe, Deputy
Federal Chairperson, into the events surrounding the Party’s reaction to the event
at Schweizer Reneke and the Party’s reaction to this as well as other issues
highlighted on page 6 of the Review that were used to exploit racial divisions.
Such investigation reports must be tabled before the Federal Council.
7. That in preparation for the early Federal Congress, a constitutional review

 committee be established by the Federal Executive to give effect to the
recommendations by the Review process and be charged with producing
appropriate amendments to the Party’s constitution. Such proposed amendments
should be work-shopped through the structures of the Party. Such a constitutional
review committee should inter alia consider term limits for the election of officebearers.
8. That a review committee be established to review the organisational and
administrative structures of the Party under the direction of Natasha Mazzone,
Deputy Chairperson of the Federal Council. This review committee to be
approved by the Federal Executive. To the extent that such an organisational
review results in recommendations that would affect the Party’s constitution, such
recommendations should be fed into the constitutional review committee.
9. That the committee established to consider the organisational and administrative
structures of the Party, considers the advisability and practicality of establishing
an advisory panel as proposed in the Review Panel as well as a crisis
communication committee.
10. That sections 6 and 7 in the Review Panel Report dealing with the Political
Purpose, Culture and Values be networked and discussed with all branches and
structures with immediate effect. Such networking should involve a guided
discussion approved by the Federal Executive.
11. That a proper assessment of the Party’s role in governments and communication
thereon by our governments be undertaken by the Governance Unit urgently.
Such assessment shall include polling in these governments.
12. Focus is paid to all upcoming by-elections before 2021 which will require the
participation of all required public representatives as allocated to roles, and as
agreed to by national, provincial, regional and constituency leadership. A roll-out
of by-election training is undertaken which requires the participation of all public
representatives, relevant operational staff and other key role players in byelections where appropriate.
13. Focus be given to the 2021 elections urgently in order that the Party can recruit
potential candidates and immediately conduct comprehensive and certified

 training for such candidates. That the Party undertake a campaign to interact with
voters to communicate the Party’s core values that is aimed at winning the trust
of voters.
Conclusion
The country is currently facing profound challenges noting the current Eskom rolling
blackouts, the over 10 million South Africans unemployed due to our collapsing
economy, citizens continuing to live in fear due to the scourge of crime, and lack of
access to basic services due to failing local governments and corruption. These
challenges require a stronger and united DA because when the DA works, South Africa
works.
We come out of this weekend’s Federal Council committed to building One South Africa
for All - accelerating our work in parliament as the official opposition to offer alternatives
to the governing party and hold the national executive accountable. We further made a
commitment to strengthen our governments in their work of running clean, capable
governments that deliver services to all.
It is now time to roll up our sleeves, and work with South Africans from all walks of life
towards building a prosperous South Africa for all.