Organisation, empires, dynasties, companies, political parties and pretty much every organisation has survived through the ages by making room for new blood.
Everyone knows there comes a time for the founding father or the most successful leadership to step down.
It’s always better for said organisation when that leader steps down voluntarily, and not through a coup d’état.
So imagine my dismay last Friday when I read that Helen Zille has chosen to stand for election as chair of the Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Council.
The former leader of the DA and former Western Cape Premier had decided to make herself available for the position.
I have nothing against Zille, but I feel she has served her time and should make way for new blood.
There is no doubt Zille played a major role in the emergence of the DA as a strong opposition party during her tenure as it’s leader, but her assuming that position could spell the end of a party that could do with some new faces.
After all, Tony Leon made way for her and look what’s happened since.
As it stands, the party surrounded by a miasma of scandal with all articles coming out about Mmusi Maimane driving a car bought by controversial former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste, and declaring a R4-million home in Cape Town as his own.
Add to this the party’s not so great performance at the national elections in May, you can see why the blue party could do with a grand clean-up.
But what concerns me greatly is the message Zille’s return says about the party and her.
Firstly, is there no other capable leader who can contest for the position of chair in the entire party?
Surely, that speaks to the lack of confidence she has in the future of the party without her in an influential position.
That could be taken as critique of how poorly she has mentored young leaders in various party structures.
Secondly, Zille herself is a divisive figure that could potentially throw the party into further disarray.
Her history of undermining decisions taken by the party leadership does not make her a popular choice and could alienate those who were looking at the DA as a potential party to join.
Zille, of course, says she was approached by “senior figures” in the party, but we don’t know if this is true or not.
It could simply be Zille’s way of worming her way back into the party to wrap up some unfinished business.
I don’t know what her grand plan and motives are.
What does bother me is the lack of new blood coming into the party or even putting their hand up for leadership positions.
How are they supposed to reconnect with their voters if it’s the same faces and ideas going around?
Make no mistake about it, this country needs strong opposition parties and right now, it doesn’t look like the DA wants to be that party.
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