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Steenhuisen glosses over DA quitters — ‘It’s a silly season, like a transfer season in football’

DA leader John Steenhuisen believes there is nothing sinister about members leaving the party just months before the upcoming elections. He says the departure of some of its members creates space for new faces and fresh talent. 
Steenhuisen glosses over DA quitters — ‘It’s a silly season, like a transfer season in football’ The DA has lost two of its public representatives this week alone, however, party leader John Steenhuisen believes it is nothing unusual especially in an election year.  “People come and go, it is the nature of the game. Any political system can be characterised by people who come and go. We have senior black leaders who are pulling their weight and doing the work and are there because of their excellence — people like [DA Chief Whip] Siviwe [Gwarube] and DA [spokesperson and second deputy federal chair] Solly [Malatsi], people like [MP] Luyolo Mphithi and Mimmy Gondwe. Steenhuisen spoke to Daily Maverick on Thursday, just hours before the news of former DA MP Ghaleb Cachalia’s resignation from the party became public. Cachalia’s resignation comes after a row over the party’s stance towards the Israeli bombardment of Gaza and its refusal to clearly call for a ceasefire. Last year in October, he posted on X saying that Israel’s actions in Gaza are “genocide” for which he was removed as a shadow minister. He was accused of contradicting the DA’s official policy.  In his resignation letter, Cachalia lamented that the party has become dysfunctional, undemocratic and autocratic. “The party’s worrying move away from the centre of the political spectrum, in its embracing of right-wing tribal, religious and ultra-libertarian partners, the appointment of PR/lobbying/electoral firms with decidedly dubious pasts and the wooing of organisations like the Afrikanerbond to endorse the Multi-Party Charter, present serious cause for concern,” he wrote. Read more in Daily Maverick: As global alarm bells ring, a new world order is being forged — and it is a risky place Steenhuisen pointed out that all parties including the ANC, EFF and ActionSA were faced with the same fate. [caption id="attachment_1639737" align="alignnone" width="720"]DA moonshot, John Steenhuisen John Steenhuisen celebrates after being elected leader at the DA Federal Congress in Midrand on 2 April 2023. (Photo: Supplied)[/caption] “Look, it is a silly season now, much like the transfer season in football where you are going to see people jumping from party to party as parties start to confirm their list processes. It is a natural occurrence at this time where four months before elections people are looking for opportunities “You have people leaving the EFF daily for the MK party, we have people leaving the ANC to join the MK party, Bongani Baloyi leaves ActionSA and forms his party, people joining Rise Mzansi, it is the season for these changes,” he said. Former DA MPL Khume Ramulifho tendered his resignation on Tuesday just two days before Cachalia. Ramulifho has stated his intentions to join Rise Mzansi while it is still unclear which direction Cachalia’s political future will take.  The DA is on the brink of completing its lists for MPL and MP candidates after a process which includes screening, fit-for- purpose assessments and online assessments.  “I am very comfortable and having looked at the list of aspirant candidates across the country, we have some very talented people of all races and backgrounds. I am very excited by the conclusion of our list process in late February, because South Africans are going to see a list that is diverse, new candidates and new exciting faces that people are going to recognise,” he said.

DA expulsions

The DA also recently expelled four of its members namely, former MP Tsepo Mhlongo, former party Eastern Cape Leader leader Nqaba Bhanga, Former Northern Cape MPL Grantham Steenkamp as well as Soweto activist Kabelo Thobejane after they were found guilty of misconduct.  Mhlongo, Bhanga and Steenkamp all lamented the lack of fairness within the party and said their removal was unfair. Mhlongo was charged with defrauding the DA electoral system, Bhanga was booted out for calling the DA federal council chair, Helen Zille, a “racist” while Steenkamp was charged for bringing the party into disrepute when he highlighted tensions among DA members. Steenhusien said that this decision was taken by the party disciplinary body which is independent and impartial. “In regards to the expulsions, I do not manage the Federal Legal Commission, we have an independent body which deals with disciplinary matters in the party without fear or favour.  “Where people break the constitution of the party, break the rules or act in a way that is contrary to the party, we deal with it and every one of the disciplinary processes were fair, transparent and open and were quite serious transgressions by those who were involved,” he said. 

Former members criticise the FLC 

The party’s disciplinary body has been heavily criticised, especially by those who faced its wrath in the past. Last year, the former Speaker of the Western Cape provincial legislature Masizole Mnqasela accused the body of flouting processes.   This was after he was charged with misconduct, without a hearing, over the results of an internal party investigation into allegations of irregularities pertaining to subsistence and travel and entertainment allowance claims.  Former DA MP Phumzile van Damme once spoke about how the body had been weaponised by certain people in the party.   She took to social media to say: “The problem is not FLC. The problem is that the FLC process is often used to settle political scores. For FLC to be truly independent, the federal executive role must be removed, in my opinion. Interested in hearing how other candidates feel about this.”  Her tweet was in response to former KwaZulu-Natal MPL Mbali Ntuli’s piece in Daily Maverick, “Insiders and outsiders: The politicisation of the DA’s disciplinary processes”.  At the time, Ntuli was running to be party federal leader, contesting against John Steenhuisen. She put forward one of the most immediate changes she would make if elected to lead the party — bringing an end to the politicisation of the DA’s FLC.  Ntuli’s opinion piece paints the FLC as being unfair when dealing with disciplinary matters.   “I have no doubt that many of our colleagues on the FLC do a thankless job to the best of their ability. However, no ‘firewall’ exists between FLC and political structures, as claimed by the current leadership. Once investigations are concluded, they must be tabled before PECs [provincial executive committees] or the FedEx [Federal Executive], and herein lies our problem. The FLC will often find no further need to continue with an investigation, only to be circumvented by politicians with vested interests in these bodies,” the article reads. Ntuli faced the FLC in 2017. She was charged for allegedly liking a comment by Pearl Pillay, who was arguing with another person on Facebook. The post in question is said to have been about Helen Zille being a racist.  The former MPL argued that the charges against her were bogus and that is why the party could not officially boot her out. [caption id="attachment_1636969" align="alignnone" width="720"]coalitions da elections,John Steenhuisen John Steenhuisen addresses delegates at the Democratic Alliance Federal Conference held at Gallagher Convention centre in Midrand on 1 April 2023. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)[/caption]

Analysts weigh in 

Political analyst, deputy VC: Institutional Support at the University of Zululand, Sipho Seepe explained that it is not unusual for disgruntled politicians to portray a negative view of their party.  “We must first underline the fact that members who resign will always say horrible things about the party and so the fact that the DA is being accused of being undemocratic is something to expect when people leave the party.  “Most of the people like Cachalia joined the DA with the knowledge that the party has not largely treated people of colour well but for some reason they always thought they were the exception. They cannot now stand up and make condemnations as if the experience of black people in the DA was unknown,” he said.  He added that Steenhuisen should be showing more concern and that it is unfortunate that he is brushing off the matter as this mass exodus could translate to stagnation in the upcoming elections. “The DA has taken a posture that says we have experimented with a few black people and those experiments have not worked and that is why Maimane was saying that he objects to being defined as an experiment. “The optics do not do well for the DA especially when you are trying to get non-traditional voters of the DA. If you want to attract people of colour but you find that Africans leave the place, then it is not good for the party,” Seepe reiterated. Analyst Sanusha Naidu, who is senior research fellow at the Institute for Global Dialogue, noted that the DA not only faces the challenge of convincing the ANC voter base that it is the best alternative but also maintaining its relationship with its traditional constituency. “When you go to the 2019 election, you actually see that the DA needs to not only worry about whether it is nipping at the heels and breaking into the ANC’s election base, it is also about reclaiming its own election base Particularly amongst those undecided apathetic voters who are looking for a viable alternative and may not necessarily see the DA as a viable option. That is the problem with opposition politics in SA, their main point of their electoral existence at times is how much they use the electoral space to push back the ANC,” she said.  Although it was early days, Ipsos polling released in October last year indicated that the DA would not grow support from the previous elections, with 20% support polled among registered voters. (The DA obtained 20.7% in the 2019 elections).  See polling results here. DM
Queenin Masuabi
By Queenin Masuabi
19 Jan 2024
Facebook
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The DA has lost two of its public representatives this week alone, however, party leader John Steenhuisen believes it is nothing unusual especially in an election year. 

“People come and go, it is the nature of the game. Any political system can be characterised by people who come and go. We have senior black leaders who are pulling their weight and doing the work and are there because of their excellence — people like [DA Chief Whip] Siviwe [Gwarube] and DA [spokesperson and second deputy federal chair] Solly [Malatsi], people like [MP] Luyolo Mphithi and Mimmy Gondwe.

Steenhuisen spoke to Daily Maverick on Thursday, just hours before the news of former DA MP Ghaleb Cachalia’s resignation from the party became public.

Cachalia’s resignation comes after a row over the party’s stance towards the Israeli bombardment of Gaza and its refusal to clearly call for a ceasefire. Last year in October, he posted on X saying that Israel’s actions in Gaza are “genocide” for which he was removed as a shadow minister. He was accused of contradicting the DA’s official policy. 

In his resignation letter, Cachalia lamented that the party has become dysfunctional, undemocratic and autocratic.

“The party’s worrying move away from the centre of the political spectrum, in its embracing of right-wing tribal, religious and ultra-libertarian partners, the appointment of PR/lobbying/electoral firms with decidedly dubious pasts and the wooing of organisations like the Afrikanerbond to endorse the Multi-Party Charter, present serious cause for concern,” he wrote.

Read more in Daily Maverick: As global alarm bells ring, a new world order is being forged — and it is a risky place

Steenhuisen pointed out that all parties including the ANC, EFF and ActionSA were faced with the same fate.

DA moonshot, John Steenhuisen John Steenhuisen celebrates after being elected leader at the DA Federal Congress in Midrand on 2 April 2023. (Photo: Supplied)



“Look, it is a silly season now, much like the transfer season in football where you are going to see people jumping from party to party as parties start to confirm their list processes. It is a natural occurrence at this time where four months before elections people are looking for opportunities

“You have people leaving the EFF daily for the MK party, we have people leaving the ANC to join the MK party, Bongani Baloyi leaves ActionSA and forms his party, people joining Rise Mzansi, it is the season for these changes,” he said.

Former DA MPL Khume Ramulifho tendered his resignation on Tuesday just two days before Cachalia. Ramulifho has stated his intentions to join Rise Mzansi while it is still unclear which direction Cachalia’s political future will take. 

The DA is on the brink of completing its lists for MPL and MP candidates after a process which includes screening, fit-for- purpose assessments and online assessments. 



“I am very comfortable and having looked at the list of aspirant candidates across the country, we have some very talented people of all races and backgrounds. I am very excited by the conclusion of our list process in late February, because South Africans are going to see a list that is diverse, new candidates and new exciting faces that people are going to recognise,” he said.

DA expulsions


The DA also recently expelled four of its members namely, former MP Tsepo Mhlongo, former party Eastern Cape Leader leader Nqaba Bhanga, Former Northern Cape MPL Grantham Steenkamp as well as Soweto activist Kabelo Thobejane after they were found guilty of misconduct. 

Mhlongo, Bhanga and Steenkamp all lamented the lack of fairness within the party and said their removal was unfair.

Mhlongo was charged with defrauding the DA electoral system, Bhanga was booted out for calling the DA federal council chair, Helen Zille, a “racist” while Steenkamp was charged for bringing the party into disrepute when he highlighted tensions among DA members.

Steenhusien said that this decision was taken by the party disciplinary body which is independent and impartial.

“In regards to the expulsions, I do not manage the Federal Legal Commission, we have an independent body which deals with disciplinary matters in the party without fear or favour. 

“Where people break the constitution of the party, break the rules or act in a way that is contrary to the party, we deal with it and every one of the disciplinary processes were fair, transparent and open and were quite serious transgressions by those who were involved,” he said. 

Former members criticise the FLC 


The party’s disciplinary body has been heavily criticised, especially by those who faced its wrath in the past. Last year, the former Speaker of the Western Cape provincial legislature Masizole Mnqasela accused the body of flouting processes.  

This was after he was charged with misconduct, without a hearing, over the results of an internal party investigation into allegations of irregularities pertaining to subsistence and travel and entertainment allowance claims. 

Former DA MP Phumzile van Damme once spoke about how the body had been weaponised by certain people in the party.  

She took to social media to say: “The problem is not FLC. The problem is that the FLC process is often used to settle political scores. For FLC to be truly independent, the federal executive role must be removed, in my opinion. Interested in hearing how other candidates feel about this.” 

Her tweet was in response to former KwaZulu-Natal MPL Mbali Ntuli’s piece in Daily Maverick, “Insiders and outsiders: The politicisation of the DA’s disciplinary processes”. 

At the time, Ntuli was running to be party federal leader, contesting against John Steenhuisen. She put forward one of the most immediate changes she would make if elected to lead the party — bringing an end to the politicisation of the DA’s FLC. 

Ntuli’s opinion piece paints the FLC as being unfair when dealing with disciplinary matters.  

“I have no doubt that many of our colleagues on the FLC do a thankless job to the best of their ability. However, no ‘firewall’ exists between FLC and political structures, as claimed by the current leadership. Once investigations are concluded, they must be tabled before PECs [provincial executive committees] or the FedEx [Federal Executive], and herein lies our problem. The FLC will often find no further need to continue with an investigation, only to be circumvented by politicians with vested interests in these bodies,” the article reads.

Ntuli faced the FLC in 2017. She was charged for allegedly liking a comment by Pearl Pillay, who was arguing with another person on Facebook. The post in question is said to have been about Helen Zille being a racist. 

The former MPL argued that the charges against her were bogus and that is why the party could not officially boot her out.

coalitions da elections,John Steenhuisen John Steenhuisen addresses delegates at the Democratic Alliance Federal Conference held at Gallagher Convention centre in Midrand on 1 April 2023. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)


Analysts weigh in 


Political analyst, deputy VC: Institutional Support at the University of Zululand, Sipho Seepe explained that it is not unusual for disgruntled politicians to portray a negative view of their party. 

“We must first underline the fact that members who resign will always say horrible things about the party and so the fact that the DA is being accused of being undemocratic is something to expect when people leave the party. 

“Most of the people like Cachalia joined the DA with the knowledge that the party has not largely treated people of colour well but for some reason they always thought they were the exception. They cannot now stand up and make condemnations as if the experience of black people in the DA was unknown,” he said. 

He added that Steenhuisen should be showing more concern and that it is unfortunate that he is brushing off the matter as this mass exodus could translate to stagnation in the upcoming elections.

“The DA has taken a posture that says we have experimented with a few black people and those experiments have not worked and that is why Maimane was saying that he objects to being defined as an experiment.

“The optics do not do well for the DA especially when you are trying to get non-traditional voters of the DA. If you want to attract people of colour but you find that Africans leave the place, then it is not good for the party,” Seepe reiterated.

Analyst Sanusha Naidu, who is senior research fellow at the Institute for Global Dialogue, noted that the DA not only faces the challenge of convincing the ANC voter base that it is the best alternative but also maintaining its relationship with its traditional constituency.

“When you go to the 2019 election, you actually see that the DA needs to not only worry about whether it is nipping at the heels and breaking into the ANC’s election base, it is also about reclaiming its own election base Particularly amongst those undecided apathetic voters who are looking for a viable alternative and may not necessarily see the DA as a viable option. That is the problem with opposition politics in SA, their main point of their electoral existence at times is how much they use the electoral space to push back the ANC,” she said. 

Although it was early days, Ipsos polling released in October last year indicated that the DA would not grow support from the previous elections, with 20% support polled among registered voters. (The DA obtained 20.7% in the 2019 elections). 

See polling results here. DM

Comments

Coen Gous Jan 19, 2024, 04:21 PM

A loose canon, if ever I've seen one. Steenhuisen proofed to be the worse leader of the DA ever, and that whole party will suffer at the election because of his continuous poor remarks and likely, or unlikely, party resolutions. So glad I walked out after the 2019 elections.

mally2 Jan 20, 2024, 06:40 AM

That is your opinion but not that of millions of others. You are of course open to express your own views but do not expect a lack of comment on them. I assume you are happier with the corrupt ANC. Also there is no problem if you use your home language - "proved" is not spelled "proofed"

Coen Gous Jan 20, 2024, 11:29 AM

No sir. I did not study the English language at Oxford. But whom are your millions of others? And no, have no time for the ANC

sebusa Jan 20, 2024, 03:22 PM

and what might that 'home' language be?

Barry Taylor Jan 20, 2024, 06:57 AM

I agree 100% with your comment. This is why I will continue living in Thailand after being here for ten years

Coen Gous Jan 20, 2024, 11:35 AM

Love Thailand, my favourite country next to SA. Especially the northern city and town of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai

R S Jan 20, 2024, 09:21 AM

Oh my word. You really are on every website criticising the DA!

megapode Jan 19, 2024, 04:32 PM

I don't believe that at it's heart the DA is a racist party. And yet... Maimane got fired because the party lost voter share under his leadership. The same yardstick has not been applied to Steenhuisen, who seems unlikely to improve matters in 2024. It's hard to ask people to accept that race doesn't have something to do with this. They are the most perplexing party of all. They have inspirational activists such as Chris Pappas who, in a relatively short time, has made a big difference to the town he leads. They have the hard working and fundamentally decent Alan Winde. Yet they have an uninspiring leader and a bunch of visible elected representatives ranting against "wokeness" and pushing MAGA-ist conspiracy theories. I'd like to say "will the real DA stand up". But the answer may be that they already have.

mally2 Jan 20, 2024, 06:43 AM

Please tell me the name of a political party in SA with an "inspirational" leader as you put it.

Coen Gous Jan 20, 2024, 11:36 AM

Rise Msanzi

Denise Smit Jan 21, 2024, 08:53 AM

Really, did you see his "inspirational manifesto" yesterday? A true genius to put that together dont you think?

Ben Harper Jan 22, 2024, 12:56 PM

Hahahahaha

Denise Smit Jan 20, 2024, 06:54 AM

Does Julius Malema or Cyril Ramaphosa inspire you. And all the new parties saying they will do it but have only acted in words. If you do not find the difference between the Western Cape and the rest of the country , then you have not seen the rest of the country. The grass is always greener on the other side

Barry Taylor Jan 20, 2024, 06:59 AM

Winde and Pappas are outstanding leaders and then they have a pathetic soul like Steenhuizen trying to lead the party

Coen Gous Jan 20, 2024, 11:40 AM

Only two persons in the DA that I have any respect for, namely Geordin Hill-Lewis, major of Cape Town, and Pappas.

C vS Jan 19, 2024, 05:32 PM

Steenhuisen has just confirmed it for me - I won't be voting for the DA this year, even though they do the best job of managing Cape Town at the municipal level. What an unbelievable out-of-touch, tonedeaf, and politically simply stupid response.

JP K Jan 20, 2024, 10:20 AM

But really, this is nothing new for the DA. Despite the ANC taking the country off a cliff the DA struggles to attract voters. It's almost like they don't want to win. As a start, in SA surely if you want to attract voters from the ANC you need a guy that isn't white? And surely a guy with a matric is not the best they can do?

Heinrich Heiriss Jan 19, 2024, 06:00 PM

This article has not been accurately checked for errors. 1. Khume Ramulifho and GC left in 2024, not 2023. 2. This part: "Mhlongo was charged with defrauding the DA electoral system, Bhanga was booted out for calling the DA federal council chair, Helen Zille, a “racist” while Steenkamp was charged for bringing the party into disrepute when I highlighted tensions among DA members." - who is the "I" in this case? Should there not be quotation marks? 3. "...is why Mmaimane..." - it is Maimane. The double M is in Mmusi.

Camille Augustus Jan 19, 2024, 08:02 PM

Steenhuisen is delusional in his dismissal of these issues. He is not reading the mood of the people, especially in the Western Cape, where the DA has the most to lose. Own goal after own goal, shrugged off with serious false confidence. These elections are going to be disastrous for the DA.

Hidden Name Jan 20, 2024, 07:40 AM

No, they really are not. This is called a storm in a tea cup. The article tries to show the da as teetering on the brink of collapse, yet when you look closer at these departing people, they are pretty much one and all better out than in. These departures are more about bad leavers than genuine problems.

normanmdavis1 Jan 19, 2024, 08:38 PM

The DA leadership have made a serious error in supporting Israel in the current Gaza war. Many Islamic voters especially in the Western Cape are not impressed.

R S Jan 20, 2024, 09:23 AM

They don't support Israel. They just aren't openly supporting Palestine. If you read their official stance they have called for the end of the conflict and the creation of a two state solution. You don't get more neutral than that.

normanmdavis1 Jan 20, 2024, 09:17 PM

If the DA were that neutral why would they go to such lengths to get rid of such a valuable member as Cachalia. The matter on your version would not matter either way. Clearly it does. I suggest to listen to what Cachalia has said about what transpired. He was clearly kicked out for his pro Palestinian views. Would an MP with publicly stated pro Israeli views be removed? I doubt it.

Ben Harper Jan 22, 2024, 01:00 PM

Check your facts before posting nonsense

Impie Mann Jan 19, 2024, 09:14 PM

I was about to vote DA for the first time since 1994, but this smug twat just lost my vote, also because of their views on the genocide in Palestine.

Ben Harper Jan 22, 2024, 01:01 PM

No you weren't and their "views" were for BOTH parties to seek a peaceful solution

Andrew Johnson Jan 20, 2024, 12:10 AM

If it is transfer season, perhaps it is time to fire the manager? Oh, and the CEO. And the board? Stuff it, time for new ownership!

Jan Vos Jan 20, 2024, 05:54 AM

Yep. Leave the sinking ship. It's the nature of the game.

Rob Fisher Jan 20, 2024, 06:43 AM

None of this jumping from party to party matters. That is what politicians do. Go for the power and money. All that matters is that the coalition against the coming ANC/EFF/Good/PA/MK etc alliance gains strength. Forget the infighting. We are a very mixed country, with different races, cultures, languages, that is our strength. Accept the fact that the DA will be a 20% party and get all the others to the 31% we need. If there is some spice in the mix it will make the coalition (the Western Cape especially) stronger.

Denise Smit Jan 20, 2024, 06:50 AM

The DA is the only party who can manage well and are principled and disciplined and not populist. Unfortunately SAcans vote for what they want to hear and not what is good for the country.

Kenneth FAKUDE Jan 22, 2024, 04:14 PM

Still wrong response to an exodus of representatives of colour with one stating the contradiction between the Ukrainians and the Palestinian approach. Very damaging to the DA with their aspirations to fairly rule the country. The good governance in WC will not give a good image of the DA more so to those voters who have not seen the WC. Except the ANC failures other parties in opposition might have a more appealing story to tell.

Barry Taylor Jan 20, 2024, 06:54 AM

Steenhuizen has never been a leader in my eyes and is furthermore a B*******r and cannot see the problems facing the DA Is he blind ,just ignorant or believes all he does is correct The DA is going to be lucky to obtain a 21% vote in the election. I am a white South African and I can clearly see the way they make race the crux of being a DA member in many small subtle ways I intend to vote for the DA or FF+ but that the DA will be the new Government will never happen and thankfully Steenhuizen will never be President. He has no personality at all

robby 77 Jan 22, 2024, 03:50 PM

I doubt anyone thinks he is charismatic at all. At this stage, when a country is fighting for normal leaders, it is of little importance. Stable, thoughtful, non-corrupt governance is 1st prize. Also, I think the multiparty coalition he initiated was a good first step. It may not win outright, but it was the smart move. You are very misguided. By the way - I doubt he ever thought that he will be an acceptable president.

pa Jan 20, 2024, 06:56 AM

The DA are really, really good at administration & getting the job done, but really , really bad at politics. Steenhuizen & Maimane were both great chief whips but poor party leaders. I'd still choose them to continue leading my City & my Province on any day of the week.

Denise Smit Jan 21, 2024, 08:59 AM

If we had a country not run on politics but by good management by capable managers (the DA) we would have a flourishing country where people will have jobs, and there would be investment and a future for all

pickerings Jan 20, 2024, 07:23 AM

Perhaps interesting to note that a number of these individuals made themselves available for higher positions in the DA pledging undying support for the policies and structures in the DA, one individual praising John Steenhuisen as a leader who walks the talk. When they failed to attain the desired position the DA was suddenly at fault and the disgruntled individual resigned, often heaping vitriol on all policies, structures, colleagues etc. Then joined a small party where he /she believed their chances were better of obtaining a higher rank. I have no respect for individuals who change their stated values to suit their personal egos.

Ben Harper Jan 22, 2024, 01:03 PM

Exactly

Sydney Kaye Jan 20, 2024, 07:24 AM

The DA's low polling says it all. In the UK where the Conservative Party is a train wreck, Labour will win by a landslide just because they are not the CP, and yet here in spite of the ANC disaster the DA is stagnant. The reason cannot be its base policies but has to be its uninspirig tone deaf leadership. The Democrats in the US is being urged to change its leader even just before the election, which may be good advice for the DA and could be worth an extra 5%.

Denise Smit Jan 21, 2024, 09:03 AM

Do you think that ANC/EFF people will badmouth their politicians like you are doing. .You do what you seem to think is the fashion. Bashing the best party. What do you think you will achieve. O and I leave out the woman bashing of Helen Zille by men, who make them think they are big

Hidden Name Jan 21, 2024, 01:44 PM

It's kind of sad you are buying into the media misrepresentation of the da. Their polling numbers are pretty much exactly where they were before the artificial inflation during the Zuma years. That was never going to hold. But the fact that so many did chose them gives an idea of the respect they hold.

Miles Japhet Jan 20, 2024, 07:47 AM

Perceptions of ability to lead and actual ability are often at variance. This can be a cause for individuals to become disgruntled at their lack of promotion and therefore leave an organisation. A problem in all types of organisation, made more difficult by the focus on race in the SA context.

nikimoore007 Jan 20, 2024, 07:49 AM

It is quite remarkable how the DA is held to such impossibly high standards. The ANC is dysfunctional and yet people declare they will die ANC. The EFF is fascist and yet people will die EFF. But the DA? One misstep, or even a perceived misstep, and people declare proudly that they will not vote DA, as if that is somehow an achievement. Good governance requires making hard decisions. This will always annoy some people. Mature voters realise that they might not like everything about a political party, but at the end of the day they have to look at that party's governance record. It is hypocritical to enjoy the fruits of those hard decisions while claiming that you refuse to vote for the party that makes them! We in Durban are unfortunate enough to live in a city governed by an ANC-EFF coalition. The city is collapsing fast. Only something like the multi-party coalition would be able to save it. There is no precedent in Africa for the way that the DA governs. They apply strict Western-style democracy, with its built-in checks and balances. This is unpalatable to people who like a more flexible and expedient style of government. But as every single country in the world has found out, Western-style democracy is the only style of governance that consistently delivers prosperity to citizens. China has realised this, Venezuela and Argentina has realized this, Rwanda has realised this. Perhaps it is time that South Africans realise this, before it is too late.

R S Jan 20, 2024, 02:54 PM

Increasingly I'm starting to realize most people don't vote for competence. They vote for people they like or can relate to. You could be the best person to run a country in a democracy but if you're unpopular then you're done.

robby 77 Jan 22, 2024, 03:41 PM

Perfectly stated. You gets the party you votes for.

Rob vZ Jan 31, 2024, 02:07 PM

Totally agree. The only province where the DA has had a sole mandate for over 10 years surpasses all the other provinces in services and governance metrics, yet people feel it is not enough of a track record. What do they want? A hug for John? A vote for a small pop-up party will do nothing for better governance, but simply dilute the opposition and add more noise in Parliament.

Llew072 Jan 20, 2024, 08:02 AM

I couldnt agree more! My support of the DA is over. Leadership of the party, apart from the likes of AW, are short-sighted and seem to be very self centered. Too many good people have jumped ship due to the lack of good people at the top. Steenhuizen himself, I think, likes to be seen as a tough guy although the girth he is acquiring reminds me more of one of those kiddies punch bags - the ones with the smiley faces that always rock back smiling. HZ herself, although she was amazing way back, has passed her sell-by date. Swopping feet in the mouth on social media is her mo these days. Sad. ?

Denise Smit Jan 21, 2024, 09:08 AM

O please, continue with voting for the "able, competent and non corrupt" ANC/DA

Stefan Laing Jan 20, 2024, 09:13 AM

Amid all this chaos, it is becoming more clear every day that the only reasonable vote during this election cycle would be for ActionSA. A vote for ANC or the EFF would be a vote for corruption and more of the same whilst the DA has lost the plot it seems. Respectfully, I cannot see the other parties breaching more than 5% of the vote.

Denise Smit Jan 21, 2024, 09:10 AM

What track record do they have. At least they are part of the multi party alliance other than Rise Manzi who yesterday hinted they are going to be the kingmaker for the ANC

Ben Harper Jan 22, 2024, 01:04 PM

Hahahahahaha

R S Jan 20, 2024, 09:32 AM

It's fascinating seeing so many people bash the DA because of Steenhuisen and Zille. Personally I judge Zille on her long form articles and her interviews and never seen anything questionable about her character. The thing that usually comes up are her tweets. I'm not on twitter but the last I heard was her colonialism tweets which weren't pro-colonialism but highlighted that things came with colonialism that aren't automatically assumed to be oppressive (such as infrastructure and technology). I'm not going to say Steenhuisen is someone I admire, but I will die on this hill: when all the other politicians were fleeing Durban or hiding in their homes, Steenhuisen actually went into Durban and visited affected communities. As someone who was terrified for his family in KZN he was the only source of information on the ground apart from a few brave journalists and the only politician willing to do that. He has to be given some credit for that.

Nic Campbell Jan 20, 2024, 10:03 AM

Poorly run party that has lost a massive opportunity to capitalise on the weakness of the ANC. Their leader is an embarrassment.

rassievent Jan 20, 2024, 12:07 PM

I think a large % of S A will like to ask the question from Mr Steenhuis why did he endorse the Government on siding with the ANC who clearly are housing Hamas terrorists in SA. SA is clearly under the same umbrella as most of the western world and if they do not wakeup they might in time regret it as you cannot host barbaric murders as there main goal is to at some stage rule the entire world, people vshould read and watch the news and update their view on what the goal of the Gihad plans are to eventually rule the world. My question again is that the DA must let its members and voters know. This whole country I believe all our black brothers who are without work and food while the ANC government and cadres are living in luxury get rid of them, so if you need our support earn it by getting rid of them and the EFF Regards Rassie

rcwatson Jan 20, 2024, 01:34 PM

The perception is that the DA need to revise their top leadership structures and policies. They have lost too many good people.

Denise Smit Jan 21, 2024, 09:12 AM

There leadership was chosen by their own. Of which these people who are leaving were party to . Sour grapes?

pickerings Jan 20, 2024, 02:40 PM

There is a much broader picture to consider. Voting means taking responsibility to improve our Country's future by examining a political party's record in governance, policies which would be implemented etc. Deciding that you are not going to vote for a particular party because you don't like an individual, despite that party having an incredible record of excellence, clean audits, pro poor policies, innovative ideas already being implemented with great success, makes no sense whatsoever. Are you prepared to waste your vote on a party which has no record of any governance? I work in rural communities in the Eastern Cape and most of the people that I come into contact with, have for many years, experienced intermittent or no water supply, shocking access roads, often no power. Many with houses collapsing around them. They are desperate for jobs. These people know about the DA, they know about the good, honest Government in the Western Cape. They know that the ANC is incapable of bringing change to their communities. These people are not concerned about who the DA Leaders may be or whether they like them, they are concerned about collapsing infrastructure, power blackouts, water and sewerage problems, a future for their children, a job in a growing economy. In these rural communities the DA is, without a doubt, growing its support because of its record in governance. Leave the petty personal grievances behind and vote according to how you wish our Country to be governed.

Belinda Cavero Jan 21, 2024, 12:58 AM

Agree completely. I'm no political analyst in the least, however, I've often had the feeling DA should have held onto Mmusi Maimane for dear life (and voters!)

Denise Smit Jan 21, 2024, 09:14 AM

Well said

Rob vZ Jan 31, 2024, 02:10 PM

Good to know that the personalities are seen as less important than the results.

michele35 Jan 20, 2024, 03:19 PM

No political acumen at all, scoring one own goal after the other. Besides the ludicrous policy of supporting oil and gas exploration (James Lorimer) I am astounded that the simplest of message does not seem to get through certain seemingly thick skulls: who are the majority of voters in SA? If you plan to be in power and not the permanent opposition you need to appeal to the majority of voters, it is that simple. In fact at the current rate with a variety of spawns nibbling away at the DA's voter base the DA might not even be the official opposition any longer.

Gerrie Pretorius Jan 21, 2024, 03:34 PM

What a strange way to reason. All one needs to do is look at the history of how the Western Cape has been run since the DA became the government and compare that to the rest of the country. The leader of a party needs to make wise decisions with the rest of leadership and otherwise be a ‘figurehead’.

Gerrie Pretorius Jan 21, 2024, 03:38 PM

Please explain what all these ‘leaders’ who left the DA have achieved politically since leaving.

Fanie Rajesh Ngabiso Jan 20, 2024, 04:07 PM

And who's joined? A balanced view would be more useful surely.

Brian Doyle Jan 20, 2024, 05:34 PM

DA have good policies and Ideals and deserve a leader who both espouses those ideas and listens to the various persons in the DA with an open mind. One who embraces all ideas, thoughts and even criticisms. Unfortunately Steenhuisen is not that man. While he is in charge the DA will never become a real force in South African politics

Helen Lachenicht Jan 20, 2024, 07:14 PM

In a medical emergency I would want a proven specialist! South Africa is a failed state and at this stage in South Africa's history, there is no time to give inexperienced, want to be politicians, a chance to experiment. The DA is the only proven government, that has run a large metro relatively successfully. With their proposed coalition, if they all had 2 horns and forked tails I would still vote for their track record. We absolutely don't have the luxury to give our votes to unproven political parties, who spout forth about what they will do, while we hope they will measure up!

Ritey roo roo Jan 20, 2024, 07:41 PM

I had visitors from Australia last year. They spent time in KZN, Mpumalanga and Gauteng before coming to the WC. Their comments? "It's like a whole different country", but this seems to be what some people want - a lowering of standards. Right? Stamp your foot, cut off your nose to spite your face because you don't like someone. Pathetic.

Leon Schipper Jan 21, 2024, 07:36 AM

The two state "solution" is also fundamdetally wrong. Palestinians were displaced from the best land with the collusion of the UK and USA, so why should they settle for a fraction of what they once had? A lot more restitution is required than just stopping Israeli land invasion of the West Bank (and Gaza). The two-state "solution" is no different than the homelands system attempted by SA apartheid. The Israeli apartheid homelands has even less chance of succeeding than the SA ones did, because it was perpetrated so much more recently. It is no less a crime against humanity than SA apartheid was. A lot of forgivess and a lot of faith is required from both sides for them to coexist, but I am very afraid that with the religious fundamentalists (or opportunist politicians exploiting them) on both sides, this will never happen. More importantly, as long as the USA sees Israel as a buffer and its base in the Middle East, or a source of domestic voters in its own elections, it will never allow Israel to fold as was allowed to happen in unimportant SA.

William Stucke Jan 24, 2024, 01:00 AM

Not only is this comment irrelevant to this article, but it's badly in error. Palestinians were not "displaced recently". Jews were buying land from the Ottoman Empire as far back as 1880. DM, "There was an error fetching comments" is happening far too frequently. Fix your shit!

Andregroblersp Jan 21, 2024, 08:24 AM

Arrogant little dictators are left only with sycophants… Steenhuisen is going to lose out just like many of his WEF brown nose colleagues did… The hubris of being a WEF young leader will topple him like Ardern and Macron

mvuyelwa Jan 21, 2024, 10:49 AM

I think it is delusional to assume that the hate of what is happening in DA translates to the love of ANC. Look at the track records of these people leaving the DA and tell me if the DA is moving forward or backwards. A party once thought to be the next in line to govern and most of all to unite the country is seeing its former mayors, provincial leaders, superb youth leaders,MPs etc. exit .. and you think that everything is 100%?

Ben Harper Jan 22, 2024, 01:09 PM

As Gerrie asked earlier - tell us what exactly has any of who have left achieved since? Nothing

rcwatson Jan 21, 2024, 01:06 PM

How many good people left and how many good people joined the DA. Seems to indicate a top leadership and policy problem.

Ben Harper Jan 22, 2024, 01:10 PM

If they're so good, why have they faded into obscurity and achieved absolutely nothing

Leon Schipper Jan 22, 2024, 06:14 AM

PS. My post was a reply to the post by "RS" on 20 January 2024 at 09:23 replying to Norman M Davis's post of 19 January 2024 at 20:38.

Ivan van Heerden Jan 22, 2024, 09:41 AM

The worst thing that has happened to the DA was the return of the angry Gogo and the promotion, far past his capacity, of her pet poodle, Johnboy. Under this duo of idiots JHB has returned to the ANC, the EFF has been allowed to embrace the ANC and the multi party charter, which frankly is this country's only hope, has been derailed time and time again by DA arrogance and the political maturity of a pair of 10 year olds. The ONLY THING the DA should be working towards is the removal of the ANC, nothing else matters!!! As for me I am voting for a politician who while not perfect at least actually started a business from nothing and made it a success without the benefits of cronyism or tenders. The rest of this sad useless mob of politicians have never done anything other than be politicians because frankly they are too useless to succeed in the real world. Don't waste your vote

david.edward.franklin Jan 22, 2024, 03:56 PM

As you would expect from my name, I am a white male. I recently made a suggestion on a WhatsApp group whose admins are staunchly DA, and was met with a hostile reaction that they are not interested in opinions and suggestions. I appreciate that some people are all talk and no action, but listening to suggestions and opinions is foundational to any democracy. That I, a white male, got shut down when making a suggestion, is a very clear indication of how this individual (and many others in the DA leadership) would react to a Xhosa lady in her sixties making a suggestion in idiosyncratic, non-native-speaker English. The lady I refer to is not hypothetical, I have a specific person in mind, whom I have the utmost respect for. She can't express her wisdom elegantly and succinctly, but ignoring her for that reason is, and I'll put it bluntly, stupid. I'm voting Rise Mzansi. Not because I agree with every bit of the party's ideology, but because listening to ordinary people is a fundamental part of the party's culture. It's about time we chose a party for a positive reason, not because, "we're the only party big enough to challenge the ANC". The ANC have done Mzansi huge damage; they're a pack of thieving traitors who are happy to embezzle billions while countless millions of South Africans sit without work, food, power, medical care, or hope. They don't deserve even to be the party to beat. It's time we stop finding a way to work around the devastation. But I will not vote for any party that says, "vote for us, and we'll make things better for you." That's patronising, and almost every political party does it. That's what first struck me about Rise Mzansi: the message is, "together, all of us can build South Africa into the amazing country we know it is." Masivuka sizenzele, thina sisonke.

Bhekisisa Nkabinde Jan 22, 2024, 05:45 PM

Kingdoms rise and fall because of the leadership

garystephenwalker Jan 31, 2024, 01:09 PM

na

rickbick Jan 31, 2024, 02:35 PM

jj

paulzille Feb 1, 2024, 04:38 PM

This article is not about 'an interview with Steenhuisen' as billed, but with every disaffected journalist, 'analyst' or former member the author could find.