DA hails James Selfe as pioneer in SA opposition politics
DA stalwart James Selfe has been described as a pioneer in South African opposition politics.
Selfe, 68, died yesterday after a long battle with illness.
“[He was a pioneer] in many ways ... because he was one of the first politicians in post-democratic history to begin the work of opposing the unfettered power of the ANC’s majority, and turn SA into a living, breathing democracy where the opposition took up its role as society’s ultimate watchdog,” DA leader John Steenhuisen said.
“This vital development cannot be understated in a country where democratic accountability is still so worryingly evaded.
“James set the example for many of us in the DA, and we will continue this work for our country in his memory.”
Steenhuisen said Selfe made an immense contribution to SA’s democracy.
“In the late ‘70s and ‘80s, James worked tirelessly as a researcher for the DA’s forerunner, the Progressive Federal Party, to combat divisive and regressive apartheid laws by the National Party in parliament.
“James then served as the party’s communications director, later becoming an executive director. Upon his election to the National Council of Provinces in 1994 in SA’s first democratic parliament, James served in the Constitutional Assembly, participating in the drawing up of SA’s democratic constitution.
“James pioneered the DA’s lawfare programme responsible for some of the most groundbreaking legal judgments in post-democratic history, setting a variety of legal precedents which strengthened public accountability in our young democracy.”
Build One SA leader Mmusi Maimane said Selfe’s legacy of lawfare would long outlive him.
“James’s ability to develop the South African legal landscape and jurisprudence — through countless acts of strategic litigation — played a pivotal role in safeguarding the country’s institutions of state from abuse.
“He was a great friend, a trusted adviser and a true statesman whom I was privileged to serve alongside for many years in the DA,” Maimane said.