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Thoughts on DA and Agang merger

Written by makisto from the blog Frankly Speaking on 28 Jan 2014
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We have just watched on eNCA the DA announcing Dr Mamphela Ramphele is the party’s Presidential candidate for 2014 elections. This is a critical move for the party to win black majority votes. Some context and my opinions on the matter.

mamphela

I have always been vocal about my support for Mmusi Maimane’s candidature for Gauteng premier. Not only do I feel as a young professional, I need to have a premier who I can relate with in terms of age and possibly challenges faced by us as youth. Therefore, it has always been unquestionable about how I will make my provincial Gauteng mark.

zilleeeezilleeee

However, one thing bothered me in my mind: I could not see myself voting for a white person on the national level. Maybe I am racist . But the reality is, I have always convinced myself, black South Africans have in the past suffered under white colonial rule. My need to vote for Helen Zille on the national level could not go away such that one day I tweeted her asking her if under her watch, if she wins the national elections that is, how would she ensure apartheid doesn’t return. A fear felt by many black South Africans even on this day, 20 years after the dawn of democracy. She replied and simply said: “We will uphold the rule of law,” however, my fear still remained.

mmusimmusi

Then I even considered voting for the EFF on the national level but I had equal doubts about it as I did with Helen Zille. Yes silly, Malema isn’t white! However, the man is allegedly scandalous as we have seen with his alleged tax evasion and corruption charges, among other silly everyday charges. The reason I want an alternative is because I want a leader that commands respect, is ethical, has a reputable stature and isn’t facing corruption allegations. That is my policy and that is how I vote. So while I was still pondering on my possible EFF vote, then boom, a sudden “game changer” as Helen Zille terms it.

DA

“I am very pleased to accept the DA’s invitation to be a Presidential candidate for the party,” said Dr Maphele Ramphele after Helen Zille announced Ramphele has accepted the party’s invitation.

Many feel Ramphela has betrayed her myriad of volunteers who supported her and believed in her and Agang’s policies. As for me, I remember tweeting about two weeks ago saying she must go back to the DA where her political ambition was ignited.

briefing

Ramphela was asked at the briefing by a journalist who read her autobiography about her statement in the book that she cannot see her son voting for the DA and she can therefore not join the DA. How will she now explain this and expect her son to vote for her? She quickly went onto a “TogetherForChange” rhetoric about the hashtag for the announcement and possibly the party’s 2014 electioneering slogan. She said something along the lines of many sons and how her son grew up with Helen Zille’s son bluh bluh bluh bluh.

Now, a black woman may possibly be this country’s very first President. But before that, the DA needs to start galvanizing support of the majority which is the blacks. Indeed, Zille stepping down from presidential candidature is a strategic decision to woo black voters like me who had issues with voting white people into highest office of the land. What does this say about millions of people like me about tolerance of other races and deploying them into the administration of this country? Have we really gotten over the past?

zille_zuma

If I can have these feelings about voting for a white person, how about white people who voted for the DA because it is seen as a white party? But Helen quickly dismisses such statements stating: “Look at us on this table, this is diversity at its best,” she said as she was flanked by Ramphela, Maimane, Patricia de Lille and Lindiwe Mazibuko. But is that enough to convince white voters having a black woman as a Presidential candidate is good for the party?

Me thinks there are those whites who vote for the party because they don’t wanna vote Freedom Front Plus (FF+) and DA is allegedly white so it makes sense to vote for it since it is progressive and inclusive. Are we gonna see a situation whereby DA’s stronghold province of the Western Cape voting Helen as their premier but choose the FF+ on the national level? Think of my intention to vote the DA in Gauteng and still battling my conscience for my national mark.

da_press_conference

I have a series of feelings questioning myself if I am racist for finding it hard to vote for Helen Zille on the national level. But I did vote for the DA in 2011 elections and the candidate was white. Perhaps that was because I knew the DA would not win those local elections in my ward. I just wanted them to have a strong voice. However, 2014 elections are a redefining moment for SA as the born-free electorate is essential not only because their vote says to us how they see the future of SA but because they are those who grew up without obvious apartheid, so to be politically correct. Am I racist or am I being a typical black voter who thinks like an African in Zimbabwe?

untitled

Your thoughts? What do you make of Ramphela’s candidature? Will you now vote for the DA because now we have a black presidential candidate or you see her as a black puppet used as window-dressing to win black majority votes? Have you decided who you are voting for? Let’s engage in a meaningful debate…




11 Comments

KeleFabulous
28 Jan 2014 12:55

i think this is the only logical cross against the anc. not that i'm against the anc, but i believe we need to shake them up so they come to the harsh reality that we, the people who gave them power, can easily take that power back seeing as they're abusing it. not yet a 100% sure but i see myself leaning towards them (DA). and no, i don't think you are a racist for thinking the way you do, i think majority of black south africans, myself included,  have that fear, of giving "the whites back the power" to send us back to apartheid. however, i think we also need to shake our mentality and shift our support to those who show promise of better governance than what we have been subjected to the last few yrs. i for one, have had it with the leadership of the ruling party!

Cest la Vie
28 Jan 2014 14:59

This native can never vote for the DA weather they have a black leader or not. Their policies are against fixing the wrongs that where made by their evil forefathers, to me if you say there is no place for BEE, affirmative action etc in post-aparteid South Africa you're basically saying black people didn't have it hard therefore denying aparteid even existed. Mamphela is a rich black so I don't expect her to understand middle class and poor South Africans struggles. As for voting for our colonial masters benefactors, that's never gonna happen I'd rather vote for the EFF. I hope Mamphele understands that she's being used by madam Zille, I don't think DA members are comfortable being led by a "clever black" long term. I have to give it to Zille she's very strategic.

Sobza
29 Jan 2014 07:52

I am still not sure who I am gonna vote for.....maybe I will vote for DA. Until the ANC has a leader with credibility....they will not get my vote.

dennnel
29 Jan 2014 08:27

I'm with you Cest la Vie, for me it's not even about the power when it comes to DA. Their policies don't like you say favour black people at all. They want us to forget that apartheid ever existed. How can we? If it still affects us to this day. And I know most black people are so blinded thinking things have changed. Look at the economical situation - where is the power? White people. And Zille doesn't support BEE, affirmative action, all that. Ja, really. Sniffs apartheid there. Whether the face of DA is black or white, I'd never vote for them. I challenge the Maimanes, the Lindiwes to come to basic working conditions of black people in offices, in the workplace and see how apartheid is still rife. Yes, the ANC has it's faults, I'm even doubting voting for them. But there is still a long way for white people to accept how apartheid is still affecting blacks and stop pouring water over the fire with their smiles and fake hugs, making us think they love us. They don't.

I'd NEVER vote DA. I really wish there was a strong black political party to go against ANC because I'm not blind, they are not making me happy. But I'd rather hold them responsible whilst they are in power than to vote DA. Mamphele is an elitist, she has no idea how it is for the millions of people, she may speak nice but she doesn't know.

promisez
29 Jan 2014 08:57

I love the ANC and what its done for the country..... yes 'it has gotten used to the farm' and needs to be shaken  a little, and I believe the EFF is the best guy to do that...

i will continue to disregard the DA and its affiliates...

Magical Baby
29 Jan 2014 14:04

I CAN NEVER vote for DA, they are lions in sheep skins. I would rather vote for EFF, after the devil you know (Juju) is better than the angel (Zille) you don know.

Tashi
30 Jan 2014 09:58

Mmmm.... that kiss really needed to be more sensual - like Britney and Madonna's - some tongue would have done the trick!

Cody
30 Jan 2014 12:48

lol Tashi!!! hahahah. Eish ya neh. This is truely a strategic move on Zille's side. I am voting DA (i guess they got me) unless ANC changes its Presidential candidate. Malema yena, aii o bua feela and doesnt think before he speaks!! what kind of a leader is that? Its not wrong to talk, but if you are a leader, you must know when, where or how to speak to get your message accross without being offensive.

by the looks of things, we might even have a chance to get a stronger rand under their leadership....

Cest la Vie
30 Jan 2014 15:05

@Tazteeq In my opinion Agang has ZERO to gain because they are a non-factor, they've been from the word go Ramphela gave them some type of relevance. The masses don't relate with the way they positioned themselves, they stood for absolutely nothing the party was just so unmarketable. I maintain Mamphela is just a pupped, she's even lost credibility now Agang is dead IMO. I really do hope Zuma steps down voluntarily (to avoid division) before we go to the polls. EFF and the ANC should work together I do think EFF has a place in South African politics a militant leader like Malema is essential for economic freedom the ANC is too soft and distracted they lack passion. Nationalisation will not happen I know some people are scared we're gonna turn into Zimbabwe. Even if Malema does win, it will be decades from now and taking what belongs to us will be a gradual and researched process. Black people are skilled and very capable to run mines and plant crops we've been doing it for them for ±400 years without getting credit. The sooner we work on our low self-esteem the better. I always laugh at people who party hop and make decisions based on emotions. What I love and respect about Zille is that she looks our for her own.

KganyaKgethi
31 Jan 2014 10:42

I will definitely not be voting DA or ANC. I have not voted for the previous two elections and I'm considering to vote this year. If I'm to vote I will be voting for Themba Godi as he seems to be the only politician who makes sense to me, I may not agree with the some polices of his party, but I will be voting to hopefully keep him in parliament.

gary.noca
31 Jan 2014 13:12

What is a party without supporters? Nothing! it's time parties in the election come to the table and hear the heart beat of the hungry, starving, jobless, under-paid citizen of South Africa. THE PEOPLE! It's time to step outside the current world giants protection and stand on our own 2 feet as bigger GIANTS! Freedom was the heart of our own late, beloved president and father to this nation...Nelson Mandela. Now it's time to leave a lasting LEGACY as per his wishes. Meaning, a party with values like : No more poverty, no more crime, healthy lifestyles, great education, no more worries (etc.) and sets all there energy to accomplish those values within the next 5 years. That's the party I will vote for - is there a party like this that can stand strongly in those values? Forget about yourselves and think of the people, people's heart and the people's needs. Show me there heart and I'll tell you if they are serious.


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