This week the DA announced that Dr Mamphela Ramphele was to become the party’s presidential candidate. This has obviously sparked much debate and criticism especially from the ruling party who, as Gwede Mantashe put it, “rent a black, rent a leader.” Supposedly pointing out that the DA was now in some form fronting by putting Dr Ramphele forward as the candidate.
But in the same vein the long-awaited ANC candidate list was supposed to be released on the same day as the DA announcement, and now however this has been postponed as it would seem consultation with certain candidates on the list needs to happen first. Could perhaps be that Premier Zille has it right? That now there is a viable, strong and accountable leadership in charge of a party known for its good governance and that there may just be a real threat to a party headed up by a leader with a history of fraud and corruption charges?
Well, you know what they say: “haters gonna hate”. And in this case that couldn’t be more evident. Not only do they have four strong female leaders in the party, Hellen Zille, Mamphele Ramphele, Patricia Delille and Lindiwe Mazibuko, but they also have strong young male leaders such as Musi Mmaimane, proving that the DA is a party of the times. Is it any wonder that the detractors are hopping up and down about the “imminent decline of the DA”?
I have a new saying: “Mediocrity attacks excellence.” But I guess only time will tell in this, the mamma’s vs. the papa’s election battle. All I can say is register on the February 8 and 9 to get front row seats in what will surely be one of the hottest elections to date.
*Since writing the blog, Dr Mamphela Ramphele has changed her mind regarding her decision to be the DA’s Presidential Candidate.
