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Mmusi Maimane has shown increasing signs that he is indeed a parliamentarian on an extremely short and tight leash despite glimmers of statesman like class and the Obama flare he burst onto the political scene with. Today one sees a politician conflicted by his party’s hypocrisy, unable to speak his mind with no true power to tackle issues without an overpowering shadow. Whether it’s the fear that his political career would fizzle out similar to that of Lindiwe Mazibuko or a man playing his cards close to his chest in the looming succession battle in the DA, Maimane needs to stand on his own two feet to prove he still is a presidential candidate come 2019.
Sexual harassment is a serious issue around the world, however, the DA in their communications strategy and crisis management have tried to sweep the issue under the carpet with Maimane gagged and comments such as ”internal investigation” to avoid media attention. What would the hype be if the tables had turned and it had been an ANC MP? Would Maimane, Zille, Selfe and Steenhuisen not have formed a firing squad on the ANC parliamentary caucus to act effectively in dismissing the accused without “internal processes?” This situation requires leadership from the true parliamentary leader; Maimane has been dead quiet showing no leadership when a leader is needed, with James Selfe doing the crisis management. Where are the DA’s countless statements that fill spam folders everywhere. This is one of Maimane’s first leadership tests of which he failed dismally.
Whilst there was some praise for the “broken man presiding over a broken society” speech, attention was drawn to the way President Zuma shrugged and laughed it (literally) off. While Maimane appears well groomed, he does not pack the right punch for parliament, the type delivered by Mazibuko or Malema that shake the president into a corner. Maimane leads an opposition that is scraping for relevance, in a battle to remain at no.2 instead of challenging the ANC for no.1 leading to complacency. If Maimane and Malema play good cop/bad cop in Parliament that is great but it requires Maimane to stop tripping up and be the good cop.
Separation of powers has become a key issue as the police enter parliament and the president interferes with parliamentary affairs, however, Maimane needs to separate his powers from those of Premier Zille. Zille is a leader in the executive and thus should be legally separated for any power over Maimane or DA’s parliamentary work. Then why is she always guiding Maimane, doing his job and keeping the opposition flag flying? Mazibuko erred on a parliamentary vote and Zille immediately had her removed, now, Maimane’s actions whether it be a picket outside parliament or a major decision are always within Zille’s presence over and above her role as party leader. The DA fails to differentiate between leader of the opposition and leader of the major opposition party whereby the leader of the major opposition party cannot rush to Maimane’s side but needs to govern the province. Maimane needs to own his position of leader of the opposition whilst leaders like Helen Zille focus on the Western Cape and not leading the opposition’s case in parliament.
Bu then again, what is a deputy chairperson’s real power? Maimane‘s political presence does not weigh up to his position in the party which give rise to ignorant rumors that he has no real power. It took one small tiff between Zille and Mazibuko to hear how she “made” her. Maimane appears to be walking a tight rope not to have that fate and to secure an endorsement in the looming succession battle.
If it is going to be “Maimane for president” then it should be a campaign similar to “Maimane for Premier one where he was the face of the DA (not Zille), One where he talked about opportunity and possibility of challenging the ANC. Maimane was fresh, not when he is tied down by the DA’s internal politics like he is currently. He needs to start acting presidential. Maimane alone has the political capital and presence to win the Johannesburg Mayoral race (unlike any other DA candidate) he just needs to unleash his inner Obama once again.
