DA delegates raise concerns over lily-white leadership

The DA yesterday held its federal congress to pave the way for the election of new leaders who will guide the party to greater heights amid the tense political landscape in the country.

The DA is poised to elect Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis as its new leader. It ranks among the biggest political organisations in the country, competing for votes with the ANC, EFF and ActionSA.

More than 2 000 delegates from various parts of the country gathered at the Gallagher Estate conference centre in Midrand, filling the plenary hall with song and dance.

Most of the black delegates who spoke to Sunday World expressed concern about the party’s leadership posture, noting that the majority of those elevated to top positions are predominantly white and male.

Black members accuse the party that prides itself as democrats of failing to uphold its non-racialism slogan, claiming it hides behind democracy while knowing blacks are just stooges within the organisation.

“Most of the black people within the DA are here to keep bread on the table, nothing else. We are just tokens used to paint a picture that the party is diverse, while we know that we are singing for our supper.

“We are just adding numbers to show the world that the DA is united across racial lines in the country; however, the truth is that we are just being used as black faces to push the narrative that the party is for all of the people living in South Africa,” said a Free State delegate.

Another delegate from Mpumalanga stated that it was painful and embarrassing to see only white males ascending to positions of power.

“If it was not because of poverty, we would not be here. Some of us left the ANC to join the DA, believing that our talent would be recognised and supported towards taking the party forward, but that is not happening.

“Those blacks who get elevated to some positions do get there because they are ‘yes, boss’ people.

“If you are radical and ask questions, which threaten authority as a black person, you get dealt with very fast,” said the Western Cape member.

Sunday World has also spoken to some delegates outside the plenary where blacks and whites had grouped themselves separately, and their responses proved that the unity that the party speaks of is far-fetched.

“If you could check, those white people are singling themselves out from us, and we also have to stand on our own, but we say we are one. There is no unity here,. It is good that the media gets to see these events during our federal congress.

“The DA is still a lily-white party that is riding the crest of a wave using black people. Just look at how black leaders left the party in droves; it is because of this nonsense that we are experiencing,” said one delegate from Gauteng.

Black leaders in the DA included Musi Maimane, Mpho Phalatse, Herman Mashaba, Mbali Ntuli, Makashule Gana, Phumzile van Damme, Lindiwe Mazibuko and Bongani Baloyi, among others.

Some delegates said that they had no choice but to drag themselves to the congress, claiming that the DA is their bread and butter, and a ticket out of poverty as inequality was destroying black people in the country.

“It’s a catch 22 situation. We are stuck with the DA as we have no choice,” said a delegate.

Another development that became a core issue at the congress was when propositions were made for constitutional amendment.

A proposal made by Anton Bredell, the Western Cape MEC of local government, environmental affairs, and development planning, to increase the time frame between elective congresses from three to five years was rejected by delegates.

Another amendment proposal to establish a deputy federal leader position was also rejected after it was proposed by member of the Tshwane municipal council Pogiso Mthimunye and seconded by DA Emfuleni caucus leader Duncan Mthembu.

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Bongani Mdakane, Boitumelo Kgobotlo