MARAIS EARMARKED FOR KEY SENIOR ROLE: VAN SCHALKWYK.

When the NNP's provincial head council meets next Thursday, former Cape Town mayor Peter Marais is expected to be elected provincial leader, but it is not yet clear where he will slot in to the new co-operation deal with the ANC. NNP leader Marthinus van Schalkwyk told reporters after a meeting with provincial leaders in Cape Town on Thursday that Marais "is part of our future plans". "He, along with other leaders in our party, will play a key role in the future, and he will be appointed to a key position in the NNP." Which position was not yet clear as there were still "certain party political processes" that had to be completed, Van Schalkwyk said. Marais on Wednesday resigned as mayor and as a DA member, in a drama-packed day in which he was reinstated by a High Court decision, but then opted to stand down. In a judgment slamming the DA for denying Marais "the most basic of rights" when it sacked him, the Cape High Court ordered he be given back both his party membership and the mayoral chain. An upbeat Marais told reporters on Thursday: "I feel like a child that's been taken out of foster care and placed back with his real parents." "I'm very happy to be back with the National Party and as you can see the smile is back in my face and the swing is back in my step. I again feel I'm in politics and not appearing before a court of law every step I take." Marais said the NNP's confidence in him was well placed and had not cost the party a cent. He was referring to the fact that the court had ordered the DA to pay his legal costs. "I'm just sorry for some of the councillors who will have to sacrifice some of their salaries that will have to help pay the R1,5-million costs so far." Marais said he would accept any post earmarked for him by the NNP. Asked what job he had in mind for Marais, Van Schalkwyk quipped: "One that doesn't involve ...