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The election of Mmusi Maimane in the much contested Democratic Alliance (D.A) leadership race could be a historic moment in S.A politics. The new first ever D.A black leader would demystify the myths and stereotypes surrounding the D.A and black voters. Due to this development, one would unequivocally envisage hard times for African National Congress (ANC) before long.
The D.A has for long been perceived to be a party that represents the interest of the whites and none of its black members were ever awarded the opportunity to lead the party. As a result, most black South Africans consider it off-limits to support such a party. Under the leadership of Helen Zille there has been a remarkable growth of voters from 1.9 million to 4million within 7 years.
The Maimane era envisages a ground-breaking political spectrum which would pose a threat to the revolutionary party. For the first time since democratic South Africa, ANC is likely to face stiff competition from leading opposition in 2019 elections.
On previous election-- D.A had a ‘sound’ manifesto but lacked ‘a black face’, black South Africans felt detached to Zille, they didn’t trust if she would represent their interest if voted to power. Zille tried all she could to connect with South Africans in townships but brought little impact to her party. She lacked what Maimane have, she couldn’t speak their language--therefore she wasn’t considered as ‘one of their own.’ She tried her best, madam Zille offered her services diligently but the result indicates the complexity of how politics of racial divisions work.
Young, multi-lingual, educated, charismatic and eloquence can be a simple description of the D.A new leader. Maimanne is oratory and speaks seven official languages contrary to his predecessor. This can play to his advantage—he can visit black townships and address the less educated and old people in vernacular. For that reason he can garner more support for the D.A-- South Africa is a racially stratified society—in politics--language and skin colour matters because of apartheid background of the country. Maimane has no boarders and that makes him the ‘right’ man for D.A future political success for the party desperately need black electorate.
Besides, South Africans were or still are not convinced that the D.A knows their struggle, they believe the party doesn’t present the poor as they ‘don’t know’ what it means to be poor. And it’s normal people to think that way. The history of South Africa is characterized by racial issues therefore; there is no mutual trust between blacks and whites. It is logical to believe Maimane’s ‘blackness’ will to a larger extent obliterate the ‘White Party’ tag branded on the D.A.His election though unspoken, there is a huge expectation for him to attract more black voters and he will possibly not disappoint.
Maimane’s humble background will attract more votes for the party. In while presenting his speech as D.A leader in Port Elizabeth Maimane spoke about the background of his parents: “My mother was raised in the Eastern Cape with her parents and 6 siblings. My father, landless and jobless, came from the former Bophuthatswana in the 1960s to settle in Kagiso on the West Rand.” This background means a lot to his political life, obviously—many people will allude to his situation since majority of black population have similar poor family set up. In his speech he mentioned the plights of many poor South Africans: “It is a fact that most young black South Africans continue to be denied access to opportunity, just as their parents were during apartheid.” For this reason, he can win the hearts of many voters for they will believe that ‘one of their own’ is with them in the struggle.
Further in his speech, Maimane applauded his party for its fairness and meritocracy as he described the D.A as “A party that has today elected the child of a cashier as its Leader.” He is also likely to recruit more blacks in the party to prove otherwise to those who believe that D.A represents whites. He claims that “Democrats, we will work tirelessly to create a fairer society” without any form of discrimination.
The ascension of Maimane coincided with the unprecedented Democratic Alliance Students Organization (DASO) victory at Fort Hare student politics in Eastern Cape. This undoubtedly indicates the growing influence of D.A in areas considered to be ANC strongholds. Fort Hare has a strong revolutionary background and the DASO triumph is unbelievable and can be viewed as a microcosm of dynamics of politics of the day. In his speech he commended the Fort Hare students for “dreaming of a different future” and “making a different choice.”
Such positive and inspirational developments could work as a springboard to Maimane, it’s a sign of a bright future for the party. Maimane vowed to make a difference as a leader during his tenure. Below are few quotes from his speech:
“I want it to be the story of how the DA challenged for power at a national level and won.”
“When we leave Port Elizabeth today, every step we take will be one step closer to the Union Buildings.”
“We must and we will win power in our lifetime. We will be the next government of this beautiful country.”
Watch the space, the 2019 South African elections may bring unprecedented political turmoil to the ruling ANC. Mamaine will probably bite not less than 10% of the ruling party’s voters in upcoming elections—especially if the ANC doesn’t improve its service delivery standards.
