Athol Trollip

Parliamentary Leader of the Democratic Alliance

Born and bred in Bedford in the Eastern Cape, Athol was deputy head boy and captained the rugby, swimming, water polo and surf lifesaving 1st teams at high school. For 20 years, he farmed his family farm in Bedford, was Chairman of the Farmers Association, Chairman of the Bedford Club, committee member of various sporting associations, executive member of the Eastern Province Agricultural Union and the “Smaldeel” Soil Conservation Committee. His community bestowed an honorary life membership for the Bedford Club and Farmer’s Association on him.

Athol was elected Executive Councillor: Amathole District Municipality in 1995. In 1999, he was elected to the Legislature and re-elected in 2004. He served Leader of the DA Caucus and Leader of the Official Opposition in the Eastern Cape before his election to Parliamenht in 2009.

Within the Party, he has held various positions including DP Provincial Chairperson in 1998 and DA Provincial Leader since 2002. He has served on the Federal Council and Federal Executive since 1998 and 2002 respectively.

Coming from a political family, with his grandfather being a MP for the United Party, and his father a Divisional Councillor, Athol is motivated by community and public service and is accustomed to leadership responsibility. As Eastern Cape leader, he led a Province that was recognised by the 2004 Federal Congress for its efforts and received the Province of the Year award. His ability to communicate in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa is a valuable asset.

Athol was elected DA Parliamentary leader in May 2009.