DA blasted for spending Heritage Day marking Codesa talks that ‘sold out’ black people
Not everyone approves of the party's decision to mark Heritage Day by remembering the Congress of a Democratic South Africa (Codesa) negotiations.
DA Leader Mmusi Maimane. Picture: Neil McCartney
Top Democratic Alliance (DA) leadership including party president Mmusi Maimane and Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga marked Heritage Day by meeting at the Codesa walkway, an exhibit at Emperors Palace marking the fact that the casino is situation where the World Trade Centre, where the Codesa negotiations took place, once stood.
The Convention for a Democratic South Africa (Codesa) talks are seen by some to have paved the way towards a democratic South Africa, but not everyone remembers the historical negotiations fondly.
Heritage Day is a time for all South Africans to reflect on the rich culture and history that we have. #MsimangaForPremier @MmusiMaimane @JohnMoodeyGP pic.twitter.com/wJNyGuWJbE
— Solly Msimanga (@SollyMsimanga) September 24, 2018
Being here at the CODESA walk today, I realize we are in need for constant dialogue and engagement to maintain a united South Africa. #MsimangaForPremier #OneSAForAll pic.twitter.com/Vh74CQBglu
— Solly Msimanga (@SollyMsimanga) September 24, 2018
We encourage South Africans to continue building on the legacy of those who took part in the CODESA negotiations, they paved a way for our democracy. #MsimangaForPremier @GrahamGersbach @MikeMoriarty
— Solly Msimanga (@SollyMsimanga) September 24, 2018
Some took to Twitter to voice their opinion that the Codesa talks “sold out” black South Africans.
“All Codesa deals upheld, perpetuated and protected apartheid earned white privilege,” one user responded to tweets on the DA’s activity.
Another user said Codesa was aimed at “maintaining white man’s heaven on earth in Mzansi.”
In particular, the so-called “sunset clauses” comprising of concessions made by the ANC to the apartheid government and aiming to reassure South Africa’s white population are seen by some to have compromised the party’s beliefs.
Come on the very same codesa that sold us out. We as black didnt we benefit anything rather criminals were protected and saved with what they stole from us as black people https://t.co/gqnOEPaZCU
— Bosula Mogwadi Moloantwa (@Bosula_12) September 24, 2018
CODESA, where blacks were cheated by whites .
All CODESA deals upheld, perpetuated and protected apartheid earned white privilege.
The white privilege that DA whites attached and rebuked Maimane for talking about.
We know why DA likes CODESA deals…— #Maverick 👑 (@ThamiLesole) September 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/almanook/status/1043873785525522433
Not everyone agrees that the Codesa talks were a bad idea.
A column on News24 in July by Gauta Komane argued that the talks were necessary and have been unfairly blamed for problems in SA.
The DA launched its 2019 elections campaign on Saturday at the Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown.
READ MORE: DA campaign launch bash sees Riky Rick, Distruction Boyz and more turn blue
Leader Mmusi Maimane said only the DA can solve South Africa’s land problems and pledged that his party would create job opportunities.
“We must make sure that we build our cities to create sustainable infrastructure and support small businesses to thrive. This is our agenda for change,” he said.
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