Sights on 2016 at DA congress

ALL eyes will be on the DA this weekend as it holds its Eastern Cape provincial congress, with at least 10 candidates from Nelson Mandela Bay vying for leadership positions in the hope of steering the party through the crucial 2016 local government elections.

While 41 party members are contesting various positions within the executive and provincial committee, it is the impending battle between two Bhisho MPLs – Veliswa Mvenya and Edmund van Vuuren – for the provincial chairperson position that has tongues wagging.

The two-day conference will be held at Mentorskraal Country Estate in Jeffreys Bay, starting tomorrow.

DA national leader Helen Zille will attend, with parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane.

While Van Vuuren, who is the incumbent chairman, brings with him the support of the opposition party's stronghold, Port Elizabeth's northern areas, Mvenya is the first black person and first woman to contest the top position. - Rochelle de Kock