On June 3, 2017 Mr. Mmusi Maimane, leader of the South African oppostion party Democratic Alliance (DA) announced the dismissal of Western Cape Prime Minister and former DA leader Helen Zille of all her functions in the party. While the governing ANC is looting the country more and more shamlessly Helen Zille's only crime was to have tweeted that not all what colonialism brought was bad citing the rule of law amongst others. No help that Ms Zille has an impeccable struggle record having been the first to investigate the murder of antiapartheid hero Steve Biko and having given shelter to underground fighters in here home, No help that she managed to broaden the electorate of the formerly tiny opposition party to 22 % of votes, No help that the province she governs is the only well run in the whole country. She must go. May be, later on even as Premier of the Western Cape.
One may ask why a party divests herself of such an accomplished leader. The answer is as simple as it is alarming. Mr. Maimane and his faction within the DA are fearing the governing ANC and his defamation campaign against Ms. Zille. Mr. Maimane wants to win more black votes, whatever the political costs may be. Helen Zille's fault: she is white and she is outspoken. Mmusi Maimane still has to prove that his strategy dictated by fear and opportunism will be succesful. One looser is already manifest, the very democracy which the DA claims to cherish above all.
As an occasional however minor supporter of the DA I asked the local and national authorities to show more level headed leadership and refrain from punishing Ms. Zille because of a trifle (see my blog entry of March 25, 2017). I never got an answer although the DA claims to come back to any query within a couple of days. You are very welcome to support but ask no questions and don't criticise, please. In that respect the DA is not far from the ruling ANC. Both insist on absolute loyality.
One may ask why a party divests herself of such an accomplished leader. The answer is as simple as it is alarming. Mr. Maimane and his faction within the DA are fearing the governing ANC and his defamation campaign against Ms. Zille. Mr. Maimane wants to win more black votes, whatever the political costs may be. Helen Zille's fault: she is white and she is outspoken. Mmusi Maimane still has to prove that his strategy dictated by fear and opportunism will be succesful. One looser is already manifest, the very democracy which the DA claims to cherish above all.
As an occasional however minor supporter of the DA I asked the local and national authorities to show more level headed leadership and refrain from punishing Ms. Zille because of a trifle (see my blog entry of March 25, 2017). I never got an answer although the DA claims to come back to any query within a couple of days. You are very welcome to support but ask no questions and don't criticise, please. In that respect the DA is not far from the ruling ANC. Both insist on absolute loyality.
