I will resign if the DA doesn’t deliver: Maimane

[ToxicBunny]

The DA is firmly associated (by many - including myself) with "white" people in SA. Its constitution isn't bad at all, but I suspect that until the leadership genuinely includes a majority that even vaguely reflects this country's demographics, it will simply continue in its watchdog role as an opposition party. This country desperately needs a genuine, viable alternative to the existing ruling party, not just a viable opposition.

If you still associate the DA with "white" people, you need to expand your political horizons. The DA is probably the most racially diverse party in this country, and yes the leadership needs to change, but that happens over time, as candidates present themselves from within the party ranks.

As for your statement about it just continuing as a watchdog in the opposition role, you may need to go and look at the DA's progress over the last 10 years. It is expanding slowly but surely. It is proving to the voters that it is capable of governing the country unlike the ANC or the EFF.

 

[Gymnogene]

the only shackles here are on you keeping your mind stuck to the past

Aha! Stumbled into a DA hotbed... Clearly not a welcome suggestion

Think about it then, DA voters, do you think Maimane is good? Wouldn't you like to have the option of voting for a party run by him that does not come with racial baggage that makes many SA citizens suspicious of its motives?

I would, I know I am not alone, because this has been raised a number of times by friends and colleagues, some of whom vote DA but recognise it's limitations in the circumstances.. Maybe those on My broadband, who get tetchy at the mere thought, feel that a comment about "their" party is a personal affront? I dunno...

 

[ellyally]

Aha! Stumbled into a DA hotbed... Clearly not a welcome suggestion

Think about it then, DA voters, do you think Maimane is good? Wouldn't you like to have the option of voting for a party run by him that does not come with racial baggage that makes many SA citizens suspicious of its motives?

I would, I know I am not alone, because this has been raised a number of times by friends and colleagues, some of whom vote DA but recognise it's limitations in the circumstances.. Maybe those on My broadband, who get tetchy at the mere thought, feel that a comment about "their" party is a personal affront? I dunno...

What 'racial baggage'?

 

[Messugga]

Aha! Stumbled into a DA hotbed... Clearly not a welcome suggestion

Think about it then, DA voters, do you think Maimane is good? Wouldn't you like to have the option of voting for a party run by him that does not come with racial baggage that makes many SA citizens suspicious of its motives?

I would, I know I am not alone, because this has been raised a number of times by friends and colleagues, some of whom vote DA but recognise it's limitations in the circumstances.. Maybe those on My broadband, who get tetchy at the mere thought, feel that a comment about "their" party is a personal affront? I dunno...

There's a hell of a lot more to a party than a single person, no matter what their rank is.
He can start his own party, but if it's not being lead by a capable team, it won't be a party I would vote for.
The fact that you and your friends would rather not vote for a party, based on the colour of its members' skins, instead of what they have managed to do and continue to do, says a hell of a lot about you.

 

[MickeyD]

DA shackles. Godzilla and Tony Leon shackles.

Why the clone account?

 

[killerbyte]

Aha! Stumbled into a DA hotbed... Clearly not a welcome suggestion

Think about it then, DA voters, do you think Maimane is good? Wouldn't you like to have the option of voting for a party run by him that does not come with racial baggage that makes many SA citizens suspicious of its motives?

I would, I know I am not alone, because this has been raised a number of times by friends and colleagues, some of whom vote DA but recognise it's limitations in the circumstances.. Maybe those on My broadband, who get tetchy at the mere thought, feel that a comment about "their" party is a personal affront? I dunno...

People would be more open to your statement if it didn't sound like you were once again basing your opinion on race. You want South Africa to move forward? Well it starts with you, me and the next guy. We all have to look at ourselves and stop basing decisions on prejudice. I don't vote ANC because I feel that while there are great epople in that party (Trevor Manuel for example) the party itself is led by corrupt, communist, criminals.
I don't vote for the EFF because its policies will ruin this country.

I vote for the DA because I believe that it is the first party that actually delivers on its promises and while it will pretty much turn SA into a Nanny state; a nanny state is a far better scenario than the bankrupt pit the ANC is turning SA into. I do not vote DA because I am white. And how dare you claim that to be the case. That is like me stating that black people who vote for the ANC do so because they are too stupid to look past their own skin colour. You sir are a racist, pure and bloody simple!

 

[access]

Aha! Stumbled into a DA hotbed... Clearly not a welcome suggestion

Think about it then, DA voters, do you think Maimane is good? Wouldn't you like to have the option of voting for a party run by him that does not come with racial baggage that makes many SA citizens suspicious of its motives?

I would, I know I am not alone, because this has been raised a number of times by friends and colleagues, some of whom vote DA but recognise it's limitations in the circumstances.. Maybe those on My broadband, who get tetchy at the mere thought, feel that a comment about "their" party is a personal affront? I dunno...

i think how the DA GOVERNS is good, maimane is an intelligent guy, i think he has the capacity to come to the right conclusion. until he goes haywire or i start to disagree with him, then i wil change my opinion, nothing has to be permanent.

racial baggage? this is south africa, this place is racial baggage, who are you trying to fool? just accept it, laugh at it and continue with your life, stop pointing at it and making it an issue.

i get "tetchy" about people that make stupid decisions that will affect my future, i couldnt care less what the name of the party in power is or what the color of their skins are. ITS WHAT THEY DO THAT MATTERS.

you just seem to create imaginary problems instead of deal with reality and living in it.

 

[Gymnogene]

Why the clone account?

It is on my tablet, which the SO a!so uses.

 

[MickeyD]

It is on my tablet, which the SO a!so uses.

Cool, no problem.

 

[allthatweare]

DA shackles. Godzilla and Tony Leon shackles.

JStrike ?

hahahaha

 

[Gymnogene]

To all those who are affronted by the association of the DA along racial lines, while the 'ideal' is indeed a non-racial party (viva non-racial, viva), the reality is that many (if not the majority) of South Africans still do:

• associate the DA with a focus predominantly on privileged saffers, I.e. predominantly white saffers accustomed to white privilege
• see the DA as not actually having the majority of saffers at heart

I repeatI: I think that a new party, sans racial (and historical) baggage, would be awesome. Maimane is good, close to excellent - not because of his race, but because of his apparent ethical stance and politics and education.. He, as a strong political leader) is being hamstrung by the DA which is, and likely always will be, an opposition party. I would certainly vote for him if he surrounded himself with a good grouping of ethical politicos and support people. I do not see the bulk of the existing DA in this light at all, although there are some good people on board. As long as the majority of the DA's constituency remain gated communities and similar. - I suspect their support base will not rise sufficiently to do anything other than keep the DA in its Jack Russell role but never be eader of the pack. (I would be DELIGHTED to be proved wrong).

If you think that it is racist for me to state this, mention the issues, mention my opinions, I accept that you think so, the prerogative is yours.

The deep concern I have is that the DA and the EFF might steadily be gaining ground, but this might be less because they are good, and far more because the ANC is cocking up so badly. Life is like that. Have a groovy weekend folks, Braai,, drink and be merry and jump off those high horses, they need a good rest...

 

[Gymnogene]

JStrike ?

hahahaha

Que?

 

[xumwun]

'The DA is firmly associated (by many - including myself) with "white" people in SA. Its constitution isn't bad at all, but I suspect that until the leadership genuinely includes a majority that even vaguely reflects this country's demographics, it will simply continue in its watchdog role as an opposition party. This country desperately needs a genuine, viable alternative to the existing ruling party, not just a viable opposition.'

Not hard to understand. You've basically said they will never gain majority because 'white', i.e. racists won't vote for them. My response is basically, thats fine, DA is not the party for racists and are not wanted

https://www.da.org.za/our-people/national-leaders/
Half of their leaders are non white.

 

[ellyally]

https://www.da.org.za/our-people/national-leaders/
Half of their leaders are non white.

And? If your vote is based on colour, you're a racist.

Just to clear up what I'm saying, if people won't vote DA because they see 'white', they are racist. No ifs and buts.

 

[killerbyte]

To all those who are affronted by the association of the DA along racial lines, while the 'ideal' is indeed a non-racial party (viva non-racial, viva), the reality is that many (if not the majority) of South Africans still do:

• associate the DA with a focus predominantly on privileged saffers, I.e. predominantly white saffers accustomed to white privilege
• see the DA as not actually having the majority of saffers at heart

I repeatI: I think that a new party, sans racial (and historical) baggage, would be awesome. Maimane is good, close to excellent - not because of his race, but because of his apparent ethical stance and politics and education.. He, as a strong political leader) is being hamstrung by the DA which is, and likely always will be, an opposition party. I would certainly vote for him if he surrounded himself with a good grouping of ethical politicos and support people. I do not see the bulk of the existing DA in this light at all, although there are some good people on board. As long as the majority of the DA's constituency remain gated communities and similar. - I suspect their support base will not rise sufficiently to do anything other than keep the DA in its Jack Russell role but never be eader of the pack. (I would be DELIGHTED to be proved wrong).

If you think that it is racist for me to state this, mention the issues, mention my opinions, I accept that you think so, the prerogative is yours.

The deep concern I have is that the DA and the EFF might steadily be gaining ground, but this might be less because they are good, and far more because the ANC is cocking up so badly. Life is like that. Have a groovy weekend folks, Braai,, drink and be merry and jump off those high horses, they need a good rest...

I stay inside a gated complex, inside a security estate in Pretoria East... most of my neighbours are black. And oh yes, we aren't privileged. We are all just working class joes (I don't earn enough to even be called middle class... the last time I checked the social economic rankings) just trying to get by in life.

 

[xumwun]

And? If your vote is based on colour, you're a racist.

Just to clear up what I'm saying, if people won't vote DA because they see 'white', they are racist. No ifs and buts.

They may have been a "white" party in the past but that is changing.

 

[ellyally]

They may have been a "white" party in the past but that is changing.

Indeed. But sadly still far too many see colour. If someone disagrees with their policies or something, then fine, you have a reason to vote elsewhere... but to say because 'white', then they shouldn't be voting, leave it up to the rest of us who care about our families and our countries future.

 

[MickeyD]

To all those who are affronted by the association of the DA along racial lines, while the 'ideal' is indeed a non-racial party (viva non-racial, viva), the reality is that many (if not the majority) of South Africans still do: <blah blah blah>

Your argument falls flat in certain metros, eg. the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro.

In 2014 the DA got 41%.

Whites make up 14% of the metro population.

Census 2011

• Black African 60.1%
• Coloured 23.6%
• Indian/Asian 1.1%
• White 14.4%

 

[SauRoNZA]

Aha! Stumbled into a DA hotbed... Clearly not a welcome suggestion

Think about it then, DA voters, do you think Maimane is good? Wouldn't you like to have the option of voting for a party run by him that does not come with racial baggage that makes many SA citizens suspicious of its motives?

I would, I know I am not alone, because this has been raised a number of times by friends and colleagues, some of whom vote DA but recognise it's limitations in the circumstances.. Maybe those on My broadband, who get tetchy at the mere thought, feel that a comment about "their" party is a personal affront? I dunno...

The party doesn't have racial baggage.

The voters (like you) do.

 

[Vrotappel]

To all those who are affronted by the association of the DA along racial lines, while the 'ideal' is indeed a non-racial party (viva non-racial, viva), the reality is that many (if not the majority) of South Africans still do:

• associate the DA with a focus predominantly on privileged saffers, I.e. predominantly white saffers accustomed to white privilege
• see the DA as not actually having the majority of saffers at heart

I repeatI: I think that a new party, sans racial (and historical) baggage, would be awesome. Maimane is good, close to excellent - not because of his race, but because of his apparent ethical stance and politics and education.. He, as a strong political leader) is being hamstrung by the DA which is, and likely always will be, an opposition party. I would certainly vote for him if he surrounded himself with a good grouping of ethical politicos and support people. I do not see the bulk of the existing DA in this light at all, although there are some good people on board. As long as the majority of the DA's constituency remain gated communities and similar. - I suspect their support base will not rise sufficiently to do anything other than keep the DA in its Jack Russell role but never be eader of the pack. (I would be DELIGHTED to be proved wrong).

If you think that it is racist for me to state this, mention the issues, mention my opinions, I accept that you think so, the prerogative is yours.

The deep concern I have is that the DA and the EFF might steadily be gaining ground, but this might be less because they are good, and far more because the ANC is cocking up so badly. Life is like that. Have a groovy weekend folks, Braai,, drink and be merry and jump off those high horses, they need a good rest...

Why not vote Cope or FF+. They are not from the past. People that want to vote for colors are not wanted in the DA.