DA Tshwane Caucus Has a New Leader!

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has pleasure in announcing the new leadership to lead the Tshwane DA Caucus.

The DA would like to congratulate the following persons for being elected to leadership positions in the Tshwane DA Caucus:

- Kate Prinsloo as Leader;

- Justus De Goede as Chairperson;

- Dana Wannenburg as Vice-chairperson;

- Natasha Michael as Chief Whip; and

- Derek Flemming as Deputy Chief Whip

The DA has full confidence in this team who will lead the Official Opposition in Pretoria with zest and dedication

Kate Prinsloo issued the following statement outlining her vision for the caucus.

The DA in the Tshwane Metro Council faces unique challenges and opportunities in the run-up to the 2011 Local Government elections when it is our intention to take over the government of the city. To this end the DA sees itself not so much as the official opposition but more as a government in waiting. Recent by-election results in the city has shown a marked decrease in support for the ruling party and increasing support for the DA. This trend is being supported by national opinion polls.

If all opposition supporters come out in force to vote in 2009 and 2011 and we continue to see the ANC support dwindling we can take over the city. The combined opposition vote in the Tshwane local government election polls was 42,76 . A coalition government, led by the DA, is the obvious solution to our city's problems. Under the leadership of Helen Zille great strides have been made towards making coalition governments work. Already the working relationship between the DA, the Freedom Front and the ACDP in council has improved immeasurably and it is my intention to further consolidate this working relationship.

There is a great depth of skills in the DA Caucus. We have two qualified and experienced CA's who represent the party in the financial portfolio. This as opposed to the ANC and even council where there are no CA's at all. We have lawyers, engineers, trade unionists, demographers, activists and very experienced politicians in our caucus. What distinguishes us from the ANC is that we see ourselves as potential managers of the city and not as incumbents to the gravy train. It is my responsibility and the responsibility of each member of my caucus to show how we could govern this city better.

The DA is appalled at the performance of the Mayor, who seems to be emulating Mbeki by the amount of international swanning about she does instead of dealing with problems, often of her own making, on her own front step. It is time for her to step down and I will, as leader of the caucus, do everything within my power to make this happen sooner rather than later.

The internal dissent within the ANC is palpable and is further debilitating an already dismal performance. I am concerned that when we take over this local government in 2011 it will be completely bankrupt, financially, morally and operationally. The flight of skills from council as a result of the poorly conceived and badly managed Alternative Delivery System has now reached epidemic proportions. We need to assure officials and citizens that we are not necessarily in a never ending downward spiral. That change is possible and that change will come soon.

It is not my first time as caucus leader. In 1994, during the transitional phase of the present phase I was the only member of the then DP in Council. I was therefore leader, chief whip and bottle-brusher for a while. The caucus now boasts 47 DA councillors and it is a privilege and a challenge to lead such a big team.

I joined the then Progressive Party in 1974 and have been continually involved in politics ever since, through the dark days of apartheid, Nationalist Party rule and the halcyon days of the achievement of our constitutional democracy. I have also, unfortunately, seen the systematic erosion of everything we fought for over the last few years. I have spent a term in the Gauteng Legislature as DA Spokesperson for Social Welfare and Population Development and also for Education. Local government however remains my passion. It is at this level that we still have a semblance of direct representation and where we can truly make a difference to peoples lives.

I have studied law, history and politics, am an Advocate of the High Court and have a particular interest in family law. I have lived in Pretoria (not Tshwane) all my life. I have three sons and two beautiful grandchildren.

Councillor Kate Prinsloo (083 458 5324)