The DA voted in a new caucus leader, Clr Fortune Mahano who will replace Clr Shelly Lou. Clr Mahano was the DA caucus chair a position now held by Clr Tanya Campbell.
So why the change? Well simply because change is good. Change breeds strong leaders and even stronger leadership. When we become too accustomed and comfortable in our positions, we soon become complacent and ultimately it is the community we serve that pays the price.
The DA, however, is showing that they do as they say and keep innovating and inspiring, holding their councillors accountable to a higher standard of work ethics while actively promoting democracy – especially within their own ranks.
The term of office for local council is five years, however, according to DA policy, it is customary to hold mid-term elections for the leadership in order to ensure transparency, fairness and foster strong leadership within the organisation. The policy seeks to promote achievement and actively support the mentoring and fostering of new innovation and leadership.
It is on this basis that the DA has chosen Clr Mahano to be their leader for the remainder of this term. Clr Lou has served us well and has been a sterling example of leadership and it is exactly because of this level of excellence that Clr Mahano has now been appointed.
It will be up to him to build upon Clr Lou’s term in order to challenge the next generation of leaders to work even harder and strive even more. This will be a tough challenge as Clr Lou has surely left big shoes to fill. Clr Lou will remain within the ranks of the DA as an advisor to the new leader as well as an elected member of council.
This is Democracy at work, no person should hold onto power lest they forget that it is the people they serve not themselves or as the old adage goes: power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Change is the only way to ensure that the people are first and the politicians second.
