One family, different parties
Lively political debate at the Monqo dinner table
WHEN members of the Monqo family get together, conversations are bound to turn into debates about politics, the leaders of the political parties they support, and analyses of the state of the nation.
The politically diverse family members enjoy the lively talks that result from them belonging to different parties.
The political playing field in South Africa has changed in the past 20 years, and while some families have chosen to stick together and support one party, others individually support those parties that address their specific beliefs.
Lulama Monqo and her daughter, Lwandisa, have shifted their loyalties from Cope to new player on the block Agang SA, while son and brother Daluxolo is sticking to the ANC.
The matriarch has always encouraged her children to be vocal and active in politics, regardless of who they support, and Lwandisa says that makes for interesting family dinners.
“We have some interesting, heated debates when it comes to politics, and one has to stand up for their leader. We have learnt to respect each other’s opinions.
“When my brother found out I was supporting Agang and in fact working for them, we had some harsh words but he learnt to accept my stand. Now we try not to speak about politics all the time.”
Lwandisa, who is in her late 20s, works for Agang SA in Port Elizabeth and said her mother was now supporting her and the party.
“I have always been interested in politics and . . . was a firm supporter of Cope until 2011, when things started going sour in the party. When Cope started fighting, I felt confused and didn’t want to join the DA as it was not in line with what I wanted.
“When Agang came along, that was when I made the decision to be actively involved because I believed in their policies and what they stood for.
“And my mother, who had supported the ANC and then moved to Cope after the Polokwane conference when Thabo Mbeki was replaced, moved with me. My brother, though, remains a staunch ANC supporter.”
Mdantsane-born lwandisa said while the business of political allegiance was serious, her family had fun times debating politics. “We are always taking jabs at each other about the different party leaders. After the failed DA-Agang marriage, my brother used that to make fun of me . . . and I’m always making fun of fun of him about his president and Nkandla.”
She said she was learning a bit about some of the dirty tricks in politics.
“Some of the bigger organisations are hindering us and putting up barriers to limit our growth. I’m learning, though, that it is not politics that is dirty, but the people within.”
Lulama, 62, said she had decided to join Agang SA this year because she hoped the party would stamp out corruption.
“Lwandisa and Daluxolo always argue but that is to be expected. We still support each other as a family even if we do not agree on politics.”
She said she encouraged her children to get actively involved in politics because she wanted them to make a difference in the future. “And politics is where they can do that. It is the future.”