South Africa’s Democratic Alliance (DA) is the second largest party in the country, and is serving in the ANC led coalition government. It is a business friendly liberal party with a real opportunity to gain from the decline of the ANC, and take South Africa in a positive direction in the decade to come.
*Story*
In the last few months, the DA leader, John Steenhuisen, requested the replacement of one DA cabinet minister, Dion George, with a different DA MP, Willie Aucamp. Immediately after this, there was a media battle between Steenhuisen and George, with leaks and accusations against each other. The DA launched an internal investigation.
Now George’s replacement has reported George to the national Public Protector (Ombudsman / Inspector General). He is accusing George of abusing state resources by using his department to launch a frivolous investigation into Aucamp to try prevent him from taking office.
This is quite an escalation because it is now involving a state organ – it is no longer an internal battle. It is also serious because he is essentially accusing a fellow DA member of corruption. The DA’s entire brand is built on anti-corruption and clean, efficient government. This fight, and the allegations driving it, are undermining that brand.
*Relevance*
The DA is having an elective conference next year, and the country is having local government elections next year. Steenhuisen is planning to stand for re-election as DA leader. The party matriarch, Helen Zille, is running for Mayor of Johannesburg – and has a good shot.
If the DA gets up in factional battles, and if any of the allegations turn out to be true or even more serious, it could damage their election campaign.
The ANC is declining. This is a long term trend driven by structural problems that they have not yet addressed. SA politics now is a race to court the ANC as well as its former voters who are now undecideds. Whoever wins this fight will chart a new path for South Africa. So far, the DA has been winning that race. They can’t afford to mess up like this.
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**Submission Statement**
*Context*
South Africa’s Democratic Alliance (DA) is the second largest party in the country, and is serving in the ANC led coalition government. It is a business friendly liberal party with a real opportunity to gain from the decline of the ANC, and take South Africa in a positive direction in the decade to come.
*Story*
In the last few months, the DA leader, John Steenhuisen, requested the replacement of one DA cabinet minister, Dion George, with a different DA MP, Willie Aucamp. Immediately after this, there was a media battle between Steenhuisen and George, with leaks and accusations against each other. The DA launched an internal investigation.
Now George’s replacement has reported George to the national Public Protector (Ombudsman / Inspector General). He is accusing George of abusing state resources by using his department to launch a frivolous investigation into Aucamp to try prevent him from taking office.
This is quite an escalation because it is now involving a state organ – it is no longer an internal battle. It is also serious because he is essentially accusing a fellow DA member of corruption. The DA’s entire brand is built on anti-corruption and clean, efficient government. This fight, and the allegations driving it, are undermining that brand.
*Relevance*
The DA is having an elective conference next year, and the country is having local government elections next year. Steenhuisen is planning to stand for re-election as DA leader. The party matriarch, Helen Zille, is running for Mayor of Johannesburg – and has a good shot.
If the DA gets up in factional battles, and if any of the allegations turn out to be true or even more serious, it could damage their election campaign.
The ANC is declining. This is a long term trend driven by structural problems that they have not yet addressed. SA politics now is a race to court the ANC as well as its former voters who are now undecideds. Whoever wins this fight will chart a new path for South Africa. So far, the DA has been winning that race. They can’t afford to mess up like this.