Since the announcement of Dr Mamphele Ramphela’s nomination as the Democratic Alliance (DA) Presidential Candidate, many labelled the news as sad, and the African National Congress (ANC) labelled the move as a ‘rent-a-black’ strategy.
What is really sad is we have chosen to over-analyse the situation from a race point of view instead of looking at the possible merits and demerits of the nomination. Yes, the move may be a desperate attempt to win the ‘black vote’, but to be looked at only from that point of view is being short-sighted.
South Africa needs to be top priority in this case, and that is why I choose to look at it in terms of what the move means for South Africa. We need to look at what Dr Ramphela brings not only to the DA, but to South Africa.
Dr Ramphela’s acceptance speech after being announced the DA’s presidential candidate was nothing short of inspirational; a reminder of her speech when she launched Agang SA. Her speech was simply a reminder of hope.
Take a moment; imagine the South Africa we dreamed of back in 1994. Although I was barely 12 years old, I understood the significance of elections back then. I understood that the day resembled hope, not only for black South Africans, but all South Africans.
South Africa should not be seen as a country for black people, it should be a country that truly represents the interests of the majority and of the minority; a country we can all believe in.
She embodies a passion to see South Africa honour the legacy of former President Nelson Mandela. Not driven by race, but the determination to serve South Africans with integrity. She is the kind of leader South Africa deserves.
Why she chose to dump her supporters to potentially secure a definite seat in parliament is beyond me. One thing is for sure, with Agang SA being a smaller opposition party, it does make some sense in some way.
I have always believed too many political parties are not necessarily a remedy for a more balanced democratic country. Fewer strong opposition parties will help us realise the dream we all had in 1994; even though the ruling party would still be in power the margin needs to be smaller, that way they will be called to serve the country as they should.
Instead of looking for another opportunity to debate race we should take the time to find a solution aimed at building the non-racial country we all dream of. Non-racialism that does not only look at the colour of one’s skin, but the content of their character – it is time to build a South Africa we all have in mind.
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