From leading the opposition benches in Parliament to serving as mayor in Nelson Mandela Bay, Athol Trollip is the epitome of a capable, experienced leader. We chatted to the DA chairperson to get his take on things.
“What inspires me is the appreciation shown by people whose lives are changed materially by the smallest acts of care and compassion.” – DA Chairperson Athol Trollip
ChangeMaker (CM): You come from a politically active family, what made you choose the DA as your political home – was there an aha moment?
Athol Trollip (AT): My Grandfather was an MP for the United Party. Having read his Hansard records of what he stood for and said in parliament, I know that his example and the family environment that I grew up in inculcated a deep conviction and opposition to apartheid and any prejudice based on race, creed, culture and gender. There was no “aha” moment, conviction led to a vocational interest in community service which led to me being involved in organised agriculture and direct service to my community in multiple forums. I was first a supporter and member of the PFP, then the DP, and in 2000 I became a founding member of the DA. The DA was launched in the Eastern Cape in Graaf Reinet by Tony Leon and Marthinus van Schalkwyk.
CM: Can you think of an experience as a public rep where you were most touched?
AT: In 23 years of public service there have been many such instances that inspire me as a public representative in opposition and in government. What inspires me is the appreciation shown by helpless people whose lives are changed materially by the smallest acts of care and compassion. People don’t want you to change the world they mostly just want you to listen and to make basic interventions on their behalf. Public representatives can mobilise action from government or the civil service that ordinary supplicants don’t have the influence or capacity to do so for themselves.
Attending an incident where a two year old girl was shot in the head by a stray bullet from a gangster firefight was traumatic, however, when I related this to a successful businessman friend his commitment to fund a R100 000.00 study bursary for the victim’s older sibling, if she completed matric and avoided falling pregnant, was an amazing experience.
CM: Of course a serious blow in 2018 was seeing the ANC get their hands back on the public purse in NMB, through a coalition with the UDM and other smaller political parties. What would you tell people who are considering voting for a smaller party in 2019?
AT: This experience taught me that coalitions should only ever be considered with people and parties that share your values. Coalitions will become a more prominent feature in our political environment and voters must realise that diluting their vote amongst too many parties makes value coherence and coalition compatibility very, very difficult.
CM: What motivates you personally?
AT: I love my country and the people who define who we are. I want to be part of making sure that SA reaches its full potential as a democratic country on our continent. On a personal level, I want to do what I can to ensure that my children believe that they have the prospects of a safe and prosperous future in SA.
CM: And when you’re taking time off, are you watching any series or listening to any podcasts that you can recommend?
AT: I am not a fan of series-watching as my time availability at home is limited and unpredictable. I love watching sport and supporting the Proteas and Springboks, in particular. I love riding my mountain bike and playing golf whenever I can.
CM: What is your all-time favourite book?
AT: I love reading non fictional history and political books. Lincoln and Churchill are my heroes. The best book I ever read is called ‘A Team of Rivals’ by Doris Kearns Goodwin. The book is about Abraham Lincoln’s presidency.