Malala’s comments on DA legacy off the mark

I have always enjoyed Justice Malala’s articles, as much because I agree with much of what he has to say but also his entertaining style of expressing himself.

Last Monday, however, he floored me with his comment that the DA is just the liberal branch of the old National Party.

I am a 70+ fifth generation South African who has traced our bloodline down to Andrew Murray, the De Villiers brothers who fled France with their vines and Koi blood from Eva Kratoa.

In the last three generations of my family, we have been actively fighting the Nats and all they stood for.

My grandmother, a GraaffReinet farmer’s wife stood for the UP in the platteland, the heartland of the Nats, for what would now be the Provincial Council, and nearly won because of the admiration of the community for her service to all.

First she, then my mother served nationally on the National

Council of Women, fighting for women’s rights till universal franchise and other legal rights were finally achieved.

I grew up with parents actively working against the Nats, first in the UP then with the new Progressive Party.

Always aiming at a fair SA for all its people.

In turn I got involved at university level, protesting in full academic gear through the streets of Durban, with strict instructions to totally ignore jibes from the crowds and maintain absolute dignity.

Somewhat different to today’s protests!

And I have remained active ever since in the Progs/ PFP/DA because I felt so strongly that the only solution was a free SA for all.

I have always been inspired by the dedication and the high moral standing of our leaders and representatives.

I wonder how many people who merrily slate Helen Zille have any idea how she put her and her family’s lives on the line in the ugliest of the apartheid days. Her biography makes for interesting reading.

So Justice Malala, please don’t call me and my family liberal Nats, not after we dedicated so much of our lives to fighting against all the Nats stood for!