Soul-searching time for DA

THE UNENDING soap opera in the DA around Helen Zille beats all the soap operas currently playing on Mzansi channel. Mmusi Maimane is caught between a rock and a hard place.

After two years at the helm of the DA, he is trying very hard to exact his authority, decisiveness and ability to lead a party as broad and diverse as the DA.

A few scenarios spring to mind in the unfolding opera between Maimane and Zille on her utterances around colonialism.

First, the DA made significant gains in the 2016 local government elections. Some attribute this to Maimane’s leadership, while others within the DA aver that Zille laid the foundation for that growth.

The most difficult scenario is the ongoing debate about the DA’s ability to grow significantly in the black townships, which is the home of the predominant black vote under Maimane. Or should it maintain its previous identity as a white-representative party.

Another big question is its ability to enter into coalition with radical parties like EFF – something that was unthinkable under Zille’s leadership – while on the other hand maintaining its identity as a liberal party that represents the other section of the population.

Until the DA under Maimane clarifies its objectives and strategies as a diverse political party, the dream of being a fully representative party for all South Africans will be deferred.

The tug-of-war will continue between Maimane’s “prochange” group and those who want to maintain the status quo under Zille. Johannesburg