Why I left the DA for the IFP
The only party which recognises the youth is the future of our country
AS WE HEAD into the turbulent times of listening to and watching politicians perform for their next loaf of bread – as they dance for their supper and tapdance around pertinent issues in order to continue their tenure in office, political staff (or rather political operatives) are often used as pawns to advance their own agenda’s or to destroy others’.
Much like Niccolo Machiavelli’s quote: “Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others.” In politics there are winners and then there are certainly losers. Case in point, what Mmusi Maimane has to say about Helen Zille, these days?
There are still people who believe in a win-lose mentality, who will see my attempts at diplomacy as weakness. They always try to take advantage of the situation. I consider myself a winner. I walked away, knowing and believing that it’s not that cold outside of the DA.
Sometimes, I push back, other times, I just make a mental note that they don’t play well with others, and do the best I can. I decided that I’ll wait for the most opportune moment to get off the chess board or to jump ship. I chose the latter.
I served a solid decade of my millennial life in the DA, six years of activism, elected a branch leader, SRC leader at university, a “DA Young Leader” and I spent four years in a professional capacity, in the media and spin operations, as I like to call it, both at Parliament and the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.
Since, September last year, I had contemplated jumping ship to another political party. I was anxious, scared and quite frankly kept back by the lucrative salary and having to start all over again. Coming from a poor background to leave a good salary, seemed far fetched, yet it was a necessary move. I willingly made a mistake, in order to get out of the party.
I had for a very long time been aware of the values shift within the party. The toxicity most of South Africa is reading, watching and closely monitoring right now has come to the fore, and so will many other issues too.
The party of “change and hope” and opportunity for a better future exists no longer. They cannot decide for themselves whether to include diversity in their ranks. Seriously, it’s 2018, how is that even possible, given our country’s rich and diverse history, let alone the make up of our demographics?
I used to believe in the DA, their policies and their vision for our country, but I have come to learn that every political party wants the best for our country, the route they take may differ, but we (the ordinary, little people) have a choice in choosing which path suits us best.
The DA has become a self-centred organisation, re-branded around a Barack Obama-like campaign style and miniMadiba wannabe leader, with tinges of white liberal, English-colonial views on the world. “The DA is always correct and blacks should know better – how dare they run SOEs into the ground – let us show you how to run it” (said in the tone of the Queen’s English) it’s pretty typical. No amount of Dumelang Bagaetsho will change the fundamental make-up of the organisation, or “correction” tweets in 140 characters to apologise.
From my discussions with many disgruntled staffers and former DA loyalists, many young people who have admired my career within the DA and those from other political parties, I didn’t know how to get out.
I would act up, not show up, suffer depression, and suffer a bottle – yet despite my internal squabbles, I have always produced great campaigns, generated newsworthy press and was of course a ghost writer for a majority of the MPs and MPLs, speeches, letters, opinion pieces and the like.
Albeit my sentiments expressed above, there are exceptional leaders with integrity within the organisation, such as former DA health spokesperson, Dr Wilmot James, current finance spokesperson, David Maynier MP, and DA Gauteng Premier expectant candidate, Makashule Gana MPL, and many others across the country, which should probably form their break-away, if they wish to have more impact in politics.
There are a myriad of issues plaguing that organisation (the DA) which I would spare your indulgence at this point. More importantly, why I chose the IFP, and why I will be voting for them in 2019?
I field questions daily on why I would choose a “traditionalist” “sell-out” “one man, Zulu” party. The truth is – I refer all my questions and queries to the history books. Especially, young people like me, to empower themselves through re-reading the facts of history. In school we were made to believe that Prince Buthelezi tried to derail our democracy and that all violent killings were to be blamed on him and his party – these are all untrue and unfounded allegations made against the organisation.
In 1994 for example, Prince Buthelezi was appointed the Minister of Home Affairs, by former President Nelson Mandela, during the first 10 years of our democracy, he was appointed Acting President of our country 22 times, he was also offered the Deputy Presidency position under former President Thabo Mbeki – had the prince accepted that offer to serve our country we would probably not have had a “Jacob Zuma” problem in the first place.
Also, the IFP was successful in its endeavour in 1994 to ensure that a double ballot system became part of the political culture in our country. The IFP is the reason why we have nine provincial administrations and legislatures within all provinces.
As 2019 approaches, the IFP is perfectly poised right now as a centrist, federal organisation, with their values enshrined within our constitution. The party’s three interconnected values are solidarity, freedom, and unity in diversity.
Who else governs in South Africa? Currently, no other political party besides, the ANC, newly led-DA governments and the IFP – who govern over 13 municipalities and district municipalities, and before the rise of the disgraced former president Jacob Zuma, they governed KwaZulu-Natal, and did so very successfully.
We often tend to overlook the IFP and occasionally go for more so-called dynamic organisations, one-hit-wonders, which have only failed the electorate – nor have they ever governed in our country, such as Cope, Agang, ACDP and others.
The principles of Ubuntu/Botho are what the IFP engage on. It was a natural choice after having served time in the “official” opposition and being paid by the DA to vilify the ANC.
The values and ideals of the EFF are commendable and wide-ranging, yet policies aren’t costed and too many people are uncertain of “how” things will be implemented.
Their divisive racial statements, make me cringe too, to be honest, but, I am certain that they will get their house in order anyway.
The ANC, without question has served the people of our country for a very long time and they will continue to do so, but I firmly believe in a balance of power.
A strong collective-opposition is necessary in order to ensure that government is held accountable and that we mature in our democratic processes.
The IFP and the ANC are like separate branches of one family tree within our society at large. Both have been in existence and both have fought for our freedom and liberation, the only truly African organisations which is inclusive of all South Africans.
The IFP’s vision which no doubt is enticing, is one in which society is underpinned by the spirit of ubuntu/botho, promotes justice and prosperity for all our people and with 43 years since their existence and experience, a party South Africans can really trust.
They have been around the block; they are not a “white” party nor are they an only “Zulu-speaking” party. They have a diverse membership and following and they recognise the importance of the inclusion of young people in governance. They promote young people and it is the only party which acknowledges that the youth is the future of our country.
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi was born on August 27, 1928 (90 years old) and to serve an organisation whereby the current President is the founder and the leader of the party – to me, as a millennial, that is quite frankly exceptional – it’s like working for Microsoft and still having Bill Gates run the show.
The prince is a stalwart, he’s a fighter, and he is one of the few who have been blessed to live long enough to see our country’s beautiful democracy blossom, which he has spent the majority of his life fighting to make a reality for us all.
Next time I am asked, why I left the DA and joined the IFP, I will refer them to this article.
Carelse, 25, is a former DA staffer, now a columnist, media political operative in Parliament. He