Maimane not to blame for DA crisis
Zamikhaya Maseti
The unfolding political and ideological crisis within the Democratic Alliance (DA) is not because of Mmusi Maimane’s poor leadership.
The problem is deeper than that and is not just Maimane’s.
This crisis stems from the DA’s political strategy, crafted by razor-sharp and shrewd Ryan Coetzee.
It enabled the party, under Helen Zille, to lure a sizeable following among the black middle class.
It was premised upon three cardinal pillars: attracting blacks, reducing the ANC’s majority in parliament and retaining the Western Cape.
Maimane and Lindiwe Mazibuko became the sweethearts of the party. They were chosen as the faces of the black middle class and later awarded lucrative positions: Maimane became its leader; Mazibuko was, unfortunately, edged out of the leadership structures.
Undoubtedly, the DA executed its strategy with precision.
The ANC experienced a sharp electoral downswing in 2009, due to its own internal battles, and the DA became the main beneficiary.
The mayhem in the ANC dovetailed very well into the strategic intent of the DA’s second pillar.
As the ANC crisis deepened, more black people were attracted to the DA.
The demise of the Congress of the People saw a large number of disgruntled members joining the DA. That is when Zille handed the baton to Maimane.
As the Coetzee strategy gained momentum, the DA retained the control of the Western Cape and there is no indication the ANC will be able to push this trend back.
Zille expected Maimane to further enhance the three cardinal pillars.
He tried his level best but could not innovate on the strategy. Instead, he mastered the art of being South Africa’s Barack Obama.
Inside parliament, the ground was shifting, with the Economic Freedom Fighters usurping the DA’s role as an official opposition.
The DA committed a number of tactical, strategic and policy blunders under the leadership of Maimane and they are now coming back to haunt him. – Zamikhaya Maseti is a political economy analyst and MD of Ngubengcuka Consulting.