DA ‘uncomfortable’ with assertive black leaders

The Democratic Alliance (DA) still harbours this notion that it understands politics of racism and demographics when, in fact, the opposite is so true.

That’s naivety at it’s best! Since the departure of Mmusi Maimane, Lindiwe Mazibuko Herman Mashaba, etc, the DA has been on a trajectory of reverting back to it’s original roots of whiteness at a very fast rate. It believes in white leadership and mass black membership.

‘Uncomfortably’

I once wrote that the DA was uncomfortable with assertive black leaders and the outcome of their federal congress confirms just that.

Its newly elected leaders are mostly white males with the queen still firmly in her ordained seat. After just one look at the portrait of its newly elected leaders, one would be naive to believe what the DA says.

The question of demographics in the South African context cannot possibly be avoided by merely talking about non-racialism, particularly if you have always been a historically white political organisation as the DA has.

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Non racial society

But, as long as the DA still believes it is the one to define for its black members what their future should look like; as long at it regards its white leaders as a perpetual teachers and its black members as perpetual students, it will remain what most of us believe it has always been; the defender and protector of white privilege, domination and leadership.

The DA’s project and model of a nonracial society goes only as far as inviting a selected few of its black members to the dining table.

These invitees may never go anywhere near the kitchen, not even to wash the dishes. The outcome of the DA’s congress is most probably a watershed one, not for itself, but the organisations it has branded as its enemies; the Economic Freedom Fighters and, to some extent, the ANC, and they must be celebrating.

It has just given them the only two loaded guns they had! It is going to be a mammoth task to present a predominantly white leadership to predominantly black, poor communities.

Demographics are a reality in the SA political context. We are still very far from that envisaged egalitarian society.

Poor is visible

The gap between the white wealthy and the black poor is still very visible. Avoiding that reality, hoping it will simply go away, is like trying to squeeze water from a stone.

The DA has not produced credible black leaders from among itself since the departure of Mmusi Maimane and Lindiwe Mazibuko because of the discomfort it inherently has with black assertiveness.

Dr Mpho Phalatse stood no chance, either. In the fullness of time, the DA will realise the cost of its fears. No doubt the portrait of predominantly white leadership will work against it in the coming elections.

It has just given its opponents ammunition on a silver platter. -Monama is an independent commentator and former Azapo leader

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