Tony Leon to Quit

[TELESPHORE]

Phhrrrt at the Confederados - stop whining. I do not even like the man and now you are making me like the man

 

[BCO]

We still have got a long way to go to find our normalized approach towards colour don’t we? Is it opposition we are talking about or colour of your skin? Seems like the non-Caucasian persons would always have a beef. Grow up please.

For you information, I am caucasian. The fact of the matter is that the DA is perceived by South Africa's black majority as a "white" party and it's for that reason that many black people would never even consider voting for the DA. If they were to have a black leader, it would go a long way in saying "hey people of South Africa, we're a party for everyone, not just the white middle class".

Your unwillingness to accept this fact seems to indicate that it's you
with the colour issue. What concerns me is that we have an effective opposition party in this country. I couldn't care less what colour the leader of the DA is, as long as they get more votes next elections.

 

[Tassidar]

DA needs new leadership

While Tony Leon has built the party over the last 12 years, the fact of the matter is that is style of politics ie. constant criticism is suited for opposition, but doesn't gain him popularity. Personally, whenever I read anything by Leon, I feel that he comes across as highly cynical and close minded. Unfortunately, Leon's constant criticism of the ANC further makes politics in this country a racial issue.

Personally, I agree with BTTB, that for the DA to make any further progress politically, it needs to come across as a more demographically representative party, and the best way to do this would be to have a black leader.

Otherwise: Dene Smuts for president - she at least will quickly bring in new telecoms laws.

Zille should stay in CT, we need her more than she is needed as leader of the opposition. Besides which, if CT is seen as successful under the DA, then it may gain the DA ground elsewhere.

 

[xtermin8or]

I think Joe Seremane, the federal chairperson of the DA will take the job, I believe there are many in the DA who think like BLUECOLLAR that they need a black leader, plus he has "struggle credentials"

 

[telkomsuig]

He is probably leaving the country. They say when the Jewish people start leaving the writing is on the wall. When the Portuguese leave it is too late

 

[Syndyre]

So you'd rather not have the most effective possible opposition if it means having a black leader?

BEE implies favouring someone based on the colour of their skin, which is what you were advocating. So effectively your statement is the one that doesn't want the most effective opposition as you favour choosing a leader based at least partially on race. The rest of us that want the leader to be chosen purely on merit/suitability are looking for the most effective leader, regardless of race.

 

[Syndyre]

I think Joe Seremane, the federal chairperson of the DA will take the job, I believe there are many in the DA who think like BLUECOLLAR that they need a black leader, plus he has "struggle credentials"

That's what I was thinking too, although I wish the DA wouldn't follow the ANC's race-obsessed example.

 

[xtermin8or]

The pros of having Seremane as leader is that when he calls the ANC to account, they can't throw the race card at him, or say he was an oppressor or whatever. The cons are - I am not sure how effective a leader he is - I ( and this is just my opinion ) is that he is only hauled out at election time to campaign in the predominantly black areas - not sure what he does the rest of the time

 

[telkomsuig]

@ xtermin8or he will just be called an "uncle tom" by the ruling party. Even if they appoint a black leader the ANC will find a way to use the race card.

 

[chiskop]

I agree. He is like one of those silly little fluffy lapdogs that yaps and yaps and yaps and that any decent burglar can dropkick over the nearest fence for 3 points.

I'm sure that that is the first time in a very long time that Gibson has been described as "fluffy"!

I think that this is an important step for the DA if they really want to grow into a representative opposition party, rather than just a minority party.

 

[Chatmaster]

I have listened to Seremane speaking a couple of times and would regard him as a leader. But honestly the DA needs a VERY strong leader to even attempt breaking the ANC's back. The ANC is still very strong and will stay strong regardless of their weaknesses. But a very important factor to keep in mind is that there aren't any strong leaders in their midst to replace Mbeki. That leaves an opportunity for the DA to have a great impact, if they have a strong black leader.

You must also remember that being a politician is like owning a groceries shop. The one with the best promotions, best service and the best prices sell the most stuff. Helen should stay in CT and show the rest of the country what difference good government can make to a city. This is a foundation the DA need to build on. Only one problem there, I cannot see allot of press coverage reaching South Africans with regards of her successes.

 

[xtermin8or]

I have listened to Seremane speaking a couple of times and would regard him as a leader. But honestly the DA needs a VERY strong leader to even attempt breaking the ANC's back. The ANC is still very strong and will stay strong regardless of their weaknesses. But a very important factor to keep in mind is that there aren't any strong leaders in their midst to replace Mbeki. That leaves an opportunity for the DA to have a great impact, if they have a strong black leader.

I agree with most of what you say, except that there are many strong leaders to replace Mbeki - people like Cyril Ramaphosa, Trevor Manuel, Tito Mboweni, Joel Net****enze, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, etc. The problem in the ANC now is not where to find a leader, but which one of the leaders become President - And it's going to be very tough going against any of these leaders even more so than against Mbeki - no wonder Leon threw in the towel

 

[chiskop]

Helen should stay in CT and show the rest of the country what difference good government can make to a city. This is a foundation the DA need to build on. Only one problem there, I cannot see allot of press coverage reaching South Africans with regards of her successes.

I agree that Zille should stay in CT, and that her success there would be a powerful example of the DA in actual government. I'm not sure what you mean about the press coverage:

• There was no shortage of articles decrying the ANC's actions when they wanted to move to the committee mayoral system
• Zille is an ex-journalist, I'm sure that in most newsrooms around the country there are people who worked with her and know her personally
• Zille knows how to handle the media - did you watch the Special Assignment where they followed her for perhaps the most stressful week of her life?

And xterminator, of the leaders you name, I'm not sure that many of them would want the job. Of that list, perhaps only Dlamini-Zuma would want that role, and I'm not sure that that is the best example of leadership to come out of the ANC.

 

[xtermin8or]

@ Chiskop - I live in hope that Cyril or Joel will take the reins of the country, as for Dlamini-Zuma - sure she had some shortcomings as Minister of Health - but she has done a very impressive job at Foreign Affairs - SA has a very difficult to handle foreign policy- and she manages with ease - what is important is that Nkosazana is very very well respected internationally - and that is what is needed for a leader of a country

 

[Syndyre]

Think Tito Mboweni would be a good option too.

 

[Chatmaster]

I agree that Zille should stay in CT, and that her success there would be a powerful example of the DA in actual government. I'm not sure what you mean about the press coverage:

Since the whole issue with the ANC wanting to take her position from her has been resolved I haven't heard a thing about her. Also need to keep in mind that good news do not sell newspapers

I live in hope that Cyril or Joel will take the reins of the country

Cyril is a true leader but way to settled in with to much responsibility in the private sector to be able to run the country imho, however I would support him as president...

SA has a very difficult to handle foreign policy- and she manages with ease - what is important is that Nkosazana is very very well respected internationally - and that is what is needed for a leader of a country

Sorry cannot agree with you there she lacks respect locally because she has proven her lack of leadership to many times. This country do not need respect created by a front internationally it needs a real leader!

 

[swatikazi]

thank goodness,he talks too much!

 

[kilo39]

I hope Zille stays where she is. (Don't believe) Leon would step down without a good idea of who is going to succeed him. Would like to see a black leader but who knows the correct path, has to be selection of the fittest (no matter the colour.)

Mentioning Joe Seremane, a blogspot entry:

Q : What does the DA believe is the greatest challenge facing South Africans at the local level? Further, if given a mandate by voters at the local level, what area of service delivery is the party most concerned with?

A : The greatest challenge is the lack of capacity. For example, a recent government survey found that 4 out of 231 local municipalities have no civil engineers, technologists or technicians, 45 have only one civil technician, and 186 local municipalities have no civil engineers whatsoever. According to the government’s own statistics, as many as thirty-six percent of managers have a matric with a diploma or less and one municipal manager does not even have a matric qualification. Thirty-seven percent of municipal managers have less than five years experience in local government, while 74% have eleven or less years experience in local government. The lack of skills is a key factor behind service delivery backlogs. The result on the ground is that 5 million South Africans still have no access to any basic sanitation and nearly 1 million people face the indignity of the bucket system. Free basic electricity is still a pipe dream for many in ANC municipalities and 3.7 million people still have no access to running water.

Q&A with the Parties - Joe Seremane of the DA

 

[kingrob]

@ Chiskop - I live in hope that Cyril or Joel will take the reins of the country, as for Dlamini-Zuma - sure she had some shortcomings as Minister of Health - but she has done a very impressive job at Foreign Affairs - SA has a very difficult to handle foreign policy- and she manages with ease - what is important is that Nkosazana is very very well respected internationally - and that is what is needed for a leader of a country

If you speak to the 'people on the ground', e.g. security guards, builders, etc - they don't want a woman to be president (I've spoken to a lot of them)...but maybe it's just the blacks in Centurion that don't want a woman as their president?

Seems black men are afraid of a woman?

 

[TELESPHORE]

A friend and myself were discussing this today and we both wished that Frederik van Zyl Slabbert would return to active politics. He would be an ideal leader for the DA. I started reading the Afrikaans version of his book “The Other Side of History” over the weekend. I think it is a must for all South Africans to read.

He knows the strengths and weaknesses of the ANC better than they themselves.

Like he comments about the false and very dishonest rewriting of contemporary history the following:

“
Not for one second do I pretend to know the ‘whole’ or ‘real’ story of what happened in the old South Africa, or what is happening in the ‘new’. I know that significant parts of what has been, or is being invented, are not the way I experienced them.
This is a personal reflection on a fascinating period in my life which coincided with fundamental shifts in the political life of South Africa.
I was fortunate to be in a position where I knew and had access to persons of influence across the political spectrum.
“