Concern over ‘DA divisions’ ahead of elections

The sooner Democratic Alliance (DA) leaders find common ground on a range of issues ahead of next year’s general elections, the better.

This is according to political analyst Ralph Mathekga, who was responding to the party’s confusing stance on the Employment Equity Amendment Bill.

“Party members are sending mixed messages to potential voters,” Mathekga said. “It is normal for any political party members to have different opinions on a range of issues, but the DA is not handling its diverse views well.”

Mathekga said the DA is at a crossroad in trying to change the face of the party’s policies.

“Party leaders are contesting on what direction the DA should take and, as much as they want to reach young black voters, they are also thinking about the impact that could have on a combative and opposition brand.

“They have to consider two blocks of voters: the young black potential voters, and their traditional white voters.

“While the DA is seen to be reaching out to black voters, the party is also worried that this could be affecting their identity, as well as abandoning their traditional white constituency,” Mathekga saidd.

DA leader Hellen Zille was quoted as saying there was absolutely no excuse for her party caucus voting in favour of what she termed as the “Verwoerdist” elements of the Employment Equity Amendment Bill this week.

“The Bill would impose racial quotas on business and it contained Verwoerdist measures.

“We dropped the ball badly, because that is a quota Bill which basically enforces quota for hiring and firing, with draconian punishments for people who do not achieve those objectives,” Zille said.

The party’s former labour spokesman, Sej Motau, was quoted this week as saying he stood by his vote in favour of the Bill. But when contacted by the Saturday Citizen yesterday, Motau said: “I am not speaking to the papers anymore.”

Motau has since been moved to the economic portfolio following a DA caucus meeting.

They have to consider two blocks of voters: the young black potential voters, and their traditional white voters Ralph Mathekga Political analyst