Zille’s no major loss

PREMIER HELEN Zille’s colonialism tweet does not speak to truth or to the right to freedom of speech. The resultant storm is also not about Zille.

Most voters are influenced by preference and prejudice, with hardly a thought for “truth” which is, in any event, not a generally distinctive, or readily recognisable political attribute.

Zille was honest enough to show her true colours and deserves recognition for her candour. I

t is not that she spoke, but that she is clearly of a particular mind, which is her constitutional right to express, disqualifying her and those of like mind to govern South Africa.

Unless one is acutely aware of the damage of oppression, one can never govern a free people; the people one governs can never be free, but slaves always to a prevailing privileged past.

Freedom of speech is a right with concomitant responsibility. Zille’s freedom of speech is not questioned; her damage to the DA brand is questioned. It’s not about her; it’s about her party. The right to freedom of speech is also the right not to speak.

The DA’s remedy is obvious: Get rid of Helen Zille.

The severance will hopefully also relieve the DA of that albatross of white privilege and make the party a real and present contender.

It’s a no-brainer for the DA: where will those who leave on Zille’s departure vote? ANC? EFF? VF+? They’ll stick around on polling days. And the DA will be free to appeal to the free. Drewan Baird Stellenbosch