DA federal congress to vote on resolution aimed at stopping ‘parachutism’

The Democratic Alliance (DA)’s federal congress will vote on a resolution aimed at stopping “parachutism” in the party, a practice where new members are promoted to leadership positions.

The resolution was proposed by the mayoral candidate in Mogale City, Tyrone Gray.

Over 2,000 party delegates from across the country have gathered at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand for the two-day federal congress.

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The proposed resolution states that any DA member must demonstrate commitment to structural support for branch formation, participation and mobilisation before they are deployed to serve as a public representative.

Gray said it’s important that all DA public representatives have grassroots support in the party and do not use the organisation as a step ladder.

“What we want to define as parachutism is when less effort was put in to positioning. However, what the resolution seeks to do is to ensure all public reps have to go through the grassroots up approach.

“As can be seen, some negative impacts of parachutism when people aren’t loyal to the party but simply use it as positioning or access to the public purse. What we want is loyal, dedicated, committed public representatives.”

Voting delegate and the DA’s mayoral candidate for Tshwane, Cilliers Brink, said the party needs to find a delicate balance between attracting new talent and not overlooking people within its ranks.

“But I suppose there is always some resentment if talented outsiders are recruited to be politics. Every political party does that; you look to the outside and say how can we find new ways of relating to people but there has to be a balance.”

Voting on policy resolutions will take place later on Saturday afternoon.

DA CONSTITUTION CHANGES

Delegates will also cast their votes on proposed changes to the party’s constitution.

Fifty-four constitutional amendment proposals have been tabled, which could significantly alter how the party is governed.

The DA’s constitution states that only members in good standing for at least 30 days are eligible to serve in any elected position within the party.

However, a constitutional amendment has been tabled, proposing that members be in good standing for at least six months before qualifying for any elected position.

There’s also a proposal to establish an entirely new position for deputy federal leader.

However, the DA’s Solly Msimanga, who is running for federal chairperson, said the congress should reject this proposal.

“This proposal is very strange because the people who are proposing this don’t understand what the federal chairperson position is. The federal chairperson is actually the deputy leader of the party. Maybe this talks to how this position is occupied and how it was used before.”

As the DA’s highest decision-making body between congresses, the federal congress has the final authority to decide which constitutional amendments are adopted or rejected.

Article by Thabiso Goba and Alpha Ramushwana.