Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Van Damme denies she was pushed to quit
DA MP Phumzile van Damme announced this week that she was quitting her job as the party’s national spokesperson, unleashing speculation as to the reasons for her decision.
She tweeted on Wednesday: “It is true, I have resigned as DA national spokesperson. I remain a member of the party, an MP and the shadow minister of communications. I love the DA, and am committed to building a better future for South Africa with a party I love.”
She went on to say: “There will no doubt be lots of speculation. I would very much love to (be) excluded from narratives that paint me as a poor woman who was bullied by men as is often the narrative of women in the DA. That’s not who I am & not what happened.”
Speculators claimed Van Damme was pushed to quit fol- lowing her perceived support of Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille when she faced a vote of no confidence from the party this week.
But Van Damme hit back at her detractors, saying: “I will be focusing on other pursuits, I’m a newly wed & would (like) to start a family (no I’m not pregnant). I’ve registered for a part-time long-distance Master (sic). I want more balance in my life, focusing on fixing the country, as well as me.”
During the special sitting of Parliament at which Cyril Ramaphosa was elected the new president of South Africa on Thursday, ANC members shouted “where is Van Damme?” DA chief whip John Steenhuisen lashed back: “Where is Zuma?”