‘The decision to take a break was difficult’ Lindiwe Mazibuko
DA parliamentary leader explains why she has decided to leave politics ’for now’ to study in the US
ALL leaders need to make time for personal introspection. I have recently spent much time contemplating my personal journey in South African politics.
I have been fortunate to be able to observe at close quarters the extraordinary growth and change in the Democratic Alliance over the past seven years. First as national spokesperson and then as parliamentary leader of the DA, I have had the privilege of travelling throughout the country campaigning in two national elections and one local government election.
There can be no better way to see how much the DA has changed than on the campaign trail — how much it is now truly a party for all the people.
One of my first campaign visits during the 2014 election campaign was to Klein Mier, a Kalahari desert town about three hours from Upington. Here I was particularly inspired by the extraordinary growth of the DA.
A party that until recently was perceived to be the preserve of a small group of South Africans now has committed activists and supporters in every corner of the country — including the most remote reaches of the Northern Cape.
The visit to Klein Mier moved me for another reason as well. I realised that it would be the last time that I would dance, sing and engage with this community, and many others, for some time to come.
I have decided on a hiatus from active politics. My term of office terminated on Tuesday and I have decided not to accept nomination as a DA member of parliament for the upcoming parliamentary term.
The decision to take a break from politics was a difficult one to make. I began thinking about taking time out in September 2013, when I travelled to the US with the World Economic Forum Young Global Leaders for a seminar at Yale University.
When the time is right, I will return to SA to pursue the goals I have set myself. I expect no favours from the DA in this regard
There, I interacted with a range of impressive young people, particularly women, who were considering making big moves in their careers.
I was intrigued by the possibilities offered by taking a step back from politics, taking stock of my career and gaining new perspectives on the unique challenges facing South Africa.
Much has been said and written about how my political career in the DA has moved forward with lightning speed. I am acutely aware of how unusual my trajectory has been for a young woman of 34.
My journey thus far has been punctuated by dizzying highs and terrifying lows — this is, after all, the very nature of politics. And I have worked hard and loved every part of it.
Over the following months, I thought about how the complexity of South African society requires a radically different kind and calibre of leadership.
I consequently decided to apply for admission to the master in public administration programme at Harvard University’s John F Kennedy School of Government.
I believe that anybody who aspires to leadership and government in South Africa must be able to master the economy and answer the critical questions about our future: How do we improve the lives of the poorest South Africans? How will we create jobs? How can we reduce inequality?
And, most importantly, how best can we offer a viable economic alternative that will inspire and unite our people?
Having not yet been offered a place at Harvard, I considered the pros and cons of taking a year — or perhaps more — away from politics. I considered how such a decision would impact my party and the people — both inside and outside parliament — who have elected me to serve the DA.
I considered the implications for my own career and personal goals. I felt anxious about how such a move might be interpreted or misunderstood — how perceptions might compromise the DA ahead of the elections.
Looking at this week’s election results, it is clear that the DA’s offer to the people of South Africa is increasingly gaining support. The project of growing a national government in waiting, boldly started by Tony Leon and masterfully enhanced by Helen Zille, is on track.
It is evident that the DA will form the backbone of the movement — in whatever form it will take — that will win power from the ANC.
There is an abundance of talent in our organisation, which reflects the diversity of the people who lent us their votes this week. I am excited about this talent and where it will take our party.
But, I am conscious about my own future and my personal goal, which is to form part of the team that will lead our country in a direction that will truly fulfil its potential.
In order to do that, I have had to make some radical decisions about my personal development, even if this may disappoint my party and the many South Africans who have supported my rise to the position of DA parliamentary leader.
I want to challenge myself to be the best I can be not just in the South African context, but globally. For now, that means interacting with the world’s best minds about the most cuttingedge public policy ideas.
This is the reason I decided to take up the offer of a place at the Harvard Kennedy School.
When the time is right, I will return to South Africa to pursue the goals that I have always set myself. I am under no illusions about how difficult this may be and I expect no favours from the DA in this regard.
I am proud to have served as the DA’s parliamentary leader since October 2011. I am grateful to my parliamentary colleagues for having elected me to this position and for overwhelmingly supporting me since then. I believe that I was able to inject the dynamism and innovation of youth into this critical role. The successes were heartening and the challenges were humbling.
I led a talented DA caucus that can be proud of its many achievements.
Parliament today is a more vibrant institution for debate and holding the government to account than it was three years ago. I will miss it greatly and I will miss my friends both on the opposition and the government benches.
I am leaving now because it is the best time to do so. A new caucus has been elected and from its ranks it will choose a new leader. I wish whoever that is the very best of luck in their new role.
This is the right decision and I am confident that, in time, my supporters in the DA and in South Africa, more broadly, will see that too.
I remain a committed member and supporter of the DA, but for now, I will be cheering the party’s successes from the sidelines.
I will be back with new energy and new ideas and I look forward to playing my part in building the future of South Africa.