DA should brace for ANC backlash

The Democratic Alliance can expect ANC mass mobilisation, especially in the major metros.

When we talk about the ANC, we talk about a 104-year-old movement that has mastered the art of mass mobilisation. Elvis Masoga Political analyst

Ruling party likely spoilers as DA gets a grip on the country’s major metros.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) should brace itself for various forms of mass mobilisation by the ANC, especially in the major metros of Tshwane, Johannesburg and Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape, political analyst Elvis Masoga said yesterday.

The next five years will be the most difficult for the party, he said, especially where it is in charge of the metros.

Speaking to The Citizen, Masoga said: “The DA must ready themselves for a climb on Kilimanjaro – the party is relatively inexperienced when it comes to handling mass mobilisation.

“When we talk about the ANC, we talk about a 104-year-old movement that has mastered the art of mass mobilisation over the years.”

Masoga said another great worry was that the DA leaders seem to be harbouring plots to reverse everything, including achievements made by their predecessors in the metros in question.

“They should actually build on the great achievements.

“I’m not sure if Herman Mashaba will emulate Parks Tau who achieved so many positives while in office …

“I still have doubts about Mashaba’s capabilities and his negative attitude towards poor people will also not help him.”

In Tshwane, the DA received the most votes during the recent local government elections.

However, the number did not represent the majority they needed to run the council on their own.

But, as in Johannesburg, the Economic Freed0m Fighters (EFF) and other smaller parties supported the DA by voting for them at the inaugural sittings this week.

Another analyst, Professor Andre Duvenhage, said the outcome of this week’s elections in Johannesburg is a positive sign for opposition parties and a big blow for the ANC.

Speaking to The Citizen yesterday, Duvenhage said while it is the DA that is now in charge of the country’s big metros, the big winner is Julius Malema, leader of the EFF.

“Malema has for some time now been putting a lot of pressure on the ANC, particularly Presi- dent Jacob Zuma, and so far he has outplayed them,” he said.

Analyst Ralph Mathekga said recalling Zuma will not automatically solve the problems faced by the ANC.

He said that the party is going through complex issues.

Among them, he said, was how to regain the trust of the urban voters.

Meanwhile, the ANC councillor who died after collapsing at the Johannesburg City Hall has been named.

Nonhlanhla Mthembu died on Monday, and recently celebrated her 50th birthday, said the ANC in Gauteng.

Mthembu was a Johannesburg councillor from 2011 until she died after “fainting” at the inaugural sitting.

She was recently re-elected to serve for another five years.

Mthembu was an ANC, proportional representation councillor for ward 119 which includes Naturena and Freedom Park.