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By Citizen Reporter

Journalist


Makhosi Khoza tells John Steenhuisen to ‘just go to school’

ADeC's leader received mostly criticism for her 'condescending' attitude towards the DA chief whip.


In a curious exchange on Twitter on Tuesday, African Democratic Change (ADeC) leader Makhosi Khoza decided to take on DA chief whip John Steenhuisen for not having a degree, which she accused the DA of being hypocritical about.

The DA was last year considering making degrees compulsory for its office bearers, particularly senior ones, which could have had a negative impact on Steenhuisen, who became a councillor for the DA in Durban in his early 20s but never pursued a tertiary education.

However, this never became DA policy.

He took exception on Twitter to Khoza, his “friend”, calling him out for his lack of advanced education, saying that he expected more from her since they knew each other. He pointed out that no such requirement had ever been passed in the DA, as it would be too exclusionary, and surmised that “desperation” for political relevance was driving her to make “silly statements”.

She didn’t back down, though, and acknowledged he was “capable” but he should still “just go to school” and be assessed by an “accredited institution”.

“Don’t forget to invite me when you graduate.”

Khoza’s political career has been somewhat tumultuous since she announced her resignation from the ANC due to her disillusionment with the ruling party.

She founded ADeC, only to leave the party following internal tumult to take a leadership at the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa). She then left Outa and is now once again promoting ADeC and its manifesto ahead of elections on May 8.

Although opinions about her minor attack on the DA and Steenhuisen were divided on social media, a number of users interpreted it as grandstanding from her in order to get attention for her party, which will be contesting its first election this year.

A number of people simply found their exchange banal and called Khoza out for in effect rubbing her PhD in others’ faces.

https://twitter.com/michaelcardo/status/1118198476263833601

https://twitter.com/EdwillFourie/status/1118210177646440448

https://twitter.com/HenkBalje1/status/1118194151529566213

https://twitter.com/gerda_morrison/status/1118257434177544192

(Compiled by Charles Cilliers)

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