The Democratic Alliance (DA) holds its 6th Federal Congress this weekend at the Boardwalk Convention Centre in Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape.
The Federal Congress is the party’s highest decision-making body and comprises delegates who are ordinary members and public
representatives from DA branches across the country. The Federal Congress is the only party structure that can elect party leadership and make amendments to the party’s Federal Constitution.
At the last Federal Congress held in November 2012, Helen Zille was re-elected party leader unopposed. Zille took over as party leader after Tony Leon stepped down in May 2007. She trounced the two other candidates by capturing a total of 786 votes or 72% of the ballot. Atholl Trollip came in second with 228 votes (22%) and Joe Seremane with 65 votes (6%). Zille was re-elected party leader unopposed in July 2010 and November 2012.
At the 2015 gathering, leadership positions for DA Federal Leader, Federal Chairperson, Deputy Federal Chairperson (3), Chairperson of the Federal Council and Chairperson of the Federal Legal Commission will be decided. A total of 21 nominations were received for the seven positions.
A total of 1 469 DA delegates will be eligible to vote on Sunday; approximately 10 of these will vote from abroad.
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