The DA’s 2012 Federal Congress: 1

by The Editor


SERIES: This year the DA will be holding its Federal Congress, the party’s highest decision-making body. I thought, as a helpful guide for those interested, in the press and the party alike, in the run-up to the Congress I would set out the basic facts as to how it will work and what will happen at it. Here then is the first installment in that series, including the date, who can attend and where it will be held. Over the coming months I’ll bring you more information as and when it becomes available.

The DA’s 2012 Federal Congress: 1

By: Gareth van Onselen


11 May 2012

1. Date

The Congress 2012 will take place on Saturday and Sunday, 24 and 25 November 2012. A Federal Council will precede Congress on 23 November, and will also meet immediately after Congress on 25 November.

2. Venue

University of Johannesburg, Soweto Campus, Chris Hani Road.

3. Total congress delegation

The DA’s Federal Executive has determined that the total Congress voting delegation will be 1 350 delegates.

4. Who may attend Congress?

The following persons will comprise Congress 2012 (in terms of clauses 6.1.3.1 – 6.1.3.16 of the DA’s Federal Constitution):

6.1.3.1 the Leader;
6.1.3.2 the Federal Chairperson;
6.1.3.3 the 3 Deputy Federal Chairpersons;
6.1.3.4 the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson of Federal Council;
6.1.3.5 the Federal Finance Chairperson;
6.1.3.6 the Chief Executive Officer;
6.1.3.7 any co-opted members of FedEx;
6.1.3.8 the Provincial Leader, one Deputy Provincial Leader and the Provincial Chairperson, if any, per Province;
6.1.3.9 all Members of Parliament and Members of Provincial Legislatures;
6.1.3.10 local government councilors allocated to the provinces on the basis of a fixed ratio of 1:4, being four local government councilors to each Member of Parliament and Member of the Provincial Parliament in that province;
6.1.3.11 the Federal Leader, the Federal Chairperson and Provincial Leaders of the Democratic Alliance Youth;
6.1.3.12 the Federal Leader, the Federal Chairperson and Provincial Leaders of the Democratic Alliance Women’s Network;
6.1.3.13 the Chairperson of the Global Council of DA Overseas Branches or Networks;
6.1.3.14 Nine other delegates from DA Overseas Branches of Networks, allocated according to a formula approved by the Federal Council;
6.1.3.15 See below;
6.1.3.16 Other persons invited by the Leader or the Federal Chairperson, with the approval of the Federal Council, provided that such persons may not vote.

Clause 6.1.3.15 used to be delegates equal to 2% of the audited membership of the party. This has now been replaced by the new representation formula adopted by Federal Council. The number of delegates in this clause will now be 1 350 less the total of all delegates in terms of clauses 6.1.3.1 to 6.1.3.14.

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