Who's who in the DA zoo

[Angelo]

DON MAKATILE

Joe Seremane stands as much chance of being elected Democratic Alliance (DA) leader as Condoleeza Rice has of being voted the first African- American president of the US – a snowball’s chance in hell.

If you log on to the DA website, the country’s official opposition, Seremane beams a sedate smile in the head and shoulder picture next to party leader Tony Leon’s.



Both Leon’s and Seremane’s bios are among the in-your-face links the website offers.

In another world this would mean something. But then again, the DA is its own (white?) world.

Leon’s sudden decision to step down from party leadership after 13 years at the helm has unleashed a wave of jockeying for positions.

Cape Town mayor Helen Zille may well speak halting isiXhosa but is the party ready for someone like Seremane, who, if he speaks the language at all, can do so with a black African grasp?

Seremane himself says “ambition” is not a word in his vocabulary – all he’s ever wanted to do was a job of serving the people.

He’s quick to remind all and sundry that the DA congress will decide on who takes over from Leon, “not South Africa”.




The rest of the country would do well to give this internal process a chance, he urges.

But is the DA ready for a black leader? Colour does not come into it, he says.

“The party will elect someone, an appropriate person, to serve them well,” he says.

Elder politician Mangosuthu Buthelezi is just as diplomatic: “I wouldn’t want to set a precedent by speaking on the affairs of another party as this would give them licence to meddle in matters of the IFP.”

Not so, says Zizi Kodwa of the ANC Youth League: “Since its inception, the DA was never meant to represent black people.

“It stands for the past – white privilege and interest, driven by the philosophy of the supreme race.

“Tony Leon has been the symbol to achieve this agenda. Coconuts like Seremane, despite their ambitions, can never serve as the right symbols.

“Blacks like him have just been used in the DA to serve white interests.”

The bottom line, says Kodwa: “They can never accept a black leader.”

Majakathata Mokoena was in the DA for a year and left to co-found his Economic Freedom Movement.

He says he’s still battling to find out what black interests, if any, the party will serve.

“It is a niche party,” he says about the DA, formed from the amalgamation of the Democratic Party and the New National Party.

The majority of voters who choose the party’s leaders are white people.

“Blacks are just picked up along the way. The party is white.”

It is not ready for a black leader, says Mokoena.

http://www.sundayworld.co.za/swzones/sundayworldNEW/news/news1165216770.asp

 

[bwana]

What sort of paper is the Sunday World?

 

[Omac]

What's your comment Angelo? Say something at least!

 

[Ekhaatvensters]

Doesn't sound like a great article or paper.

I think the "driven by the philosophy of the supreme race" part is a bit stupid too. SO now they are white-power Nazi's?

Luckily the article has no obvious bias or anything.

 

[GavinMannion]

Seems like a stupid article.

WTF are "Black Interests"? Sounds very racially motivated and condescending and that coming from someone who dislikes the DA...

 

[bwana]

[-]I think their server has fallen over [/-]

Reminds me of a UK rag called the News of the World.

 

[IamCanadian]

“Since its inception, the DA was never meant to represent black people. It stands for the past – white privilege and interest, driven by the philosophy of the supreme race."

I am inclined to agree here.

What he really might be asking is this question: Was the DA formed(mainly by whites) to REALLY represent the black people who were largely degraded by the whites in the first place?

Could it be that the whites thought that they could create a party that they would control but have the masses follow them?

The ANC will always be supreme.

 

[bwana]

I am inclined to agree here.

What he really might be asking is this question: Was the DA formed(mainly by whites) to REALLY represent the black people who were largely degraded by the whites in the first place?

Could it be that the whites thought that they could create a party that they would control but have the masses follow them?

The ANC will always be supreme.

I doubt it - eventually the disillusionment will lead to splintering and then to a more viable opposition where people no longer vote on racial lines but on political ideology. IOW SA will become just like everywhere else.

 

[Omac]

I am inclined to agree here.

Really!!!!!!

 

[IamCanadian]

Really!!!!!!

Yep. Who was behind the DA? Whites who have a lot to lose?


Bwana,

I doubt it - eventually the disillusionment will lead to splintering and then to a more viable opposition where people no longer vote on racial lines but on political ideology. IOW SA will become just like everywhere else.

What do you know? You are an American and one day you will move back to the US. Africa will always vote the way it does. Can't say I blame them given what the colonials and racists did to them.

The stupid whites thought that same thing as you do in regards to getting rid of the National Party in the past. Needless to say, no "viable opposition" was formed and no "viable opposition" will form in SA in the future either. Certainly not in your lifetime.

 

[bwana]

What do you know? You are an American and one day you will move back to the US. Africa will always vote the way it does. Can't say I blame them given what the colonials and racists did to them.

No - the question is what do you know because after more than a decade of travelling extensively around Africa I'd really love to hear more of your insights

 

[IamCanadian]

....then to a more viable opposition where people no longer vote on racial lines but on political ideology. IOW SA will become just like everywhere else.

Bwana, just because you have gone on a "safari" in the Kruger park doesn't make you an expert.

Please provide me with one country in Africa where the "viable opposition", if one existed, was voted in on political ideology only.

The trouble with you Americans is that you think democracy is something that you invented and now you have the burden to force your style of democracy on the whole world.

 

[Omac]

Yep. Who was behind the DA? Whites who have a lot to lose?

You missed the point (do you ever get it!) Most of us really don't care what you do or don't agree with runner!

 

[w1z4rd]

I would like to see a black leader or a woman at the helm of the DA. Hellen Zilla appears extremely intelligent.

 

[Angelo]

What sort of paper is the Sunday World?

"Sunday World is a young, feisty, exciting and unrelenting weekly newspaper. With a team of top journalists who speak the language of the people in the street as well as those on the corridors of power."

 

[Angelo]

What's your comment Angelo? Say something at least!

I agree with the article.

 

[IamCanadian]

You missed the point (do you ever get it!) Most of us really don't care what you do or don't agree with runner!

Omac,

I am so glad you put there "most of us" because the truth is that at least "some of you" do agree with my point of view.

And I am sure that there are "some of you" who would become a "runner" if they could. I also suspect that you can't because you are a) not qualified enough or b) are broke and are unable to "run".

So Omac, go back to sleep with bwana and dream that a "viable opposition" will be formed. Again, why should the majority of blacks vote for whites who have been the agent of oppression for hundred's of years.

Again, I can't say I blame them. I would probably do the same.

 

[w1z4rd]

"Sunday World is a young, feisty, exciting and unrelenting weekly newspaper. With a team of top journalists who speak the language of the people in the street as well as those on the corridors of power."

Also...

All material copyright Sunday World
© Johnnic Media Investments Limited 1996-2005. All Rights Reserved

Same people who own a lot of the media in the country.

 

[bwana]

Bwana, just because you have gone on a "safari" in the Kruger park doesn't make you an expert.

Please provide me with one country in Africa where the "viable opposition", if one existed, was voted in on political ideology only.

The trouble with you Americans is that you think democracy is something that you invented and now you have the burden to force your style of democracy on the whole world.

Cant say that I've ever been on Safari come to think of it - I also have no need to prove my pedigree.

As it is there are countries with a strong two party system - Ghana springs to mind.

Out of curiosity during your exodus did you ever stop to see any other part of the continent? It bears little semblance to SA.

Anyway - enjoy the view from your perch of mediocrity.

 

[NewsFlash]

.... and then to a more viable opposition where people no longer vote on racial lines but on political ideology. IOW SA will become just like everywhere else.

In your, never to be fulfilled, dreams! The status quo will be here forever!

.... IOW SA will become just like everywhere else.

You mean like Zimbabwe or Angola? Like Europe, USA... Never. No real democracy here at least not for the next 25 Years!