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The DA is preaching “One South Africa for All”, but it is hypocritical and does not practice this value, argues Ryno Geldenhuys in City Press.
Read: DA slogans smack of hyprocrisy
He goes on to mention several internal disputes and cases within the DA, saying the party is inconsistent in applying “its own rules to its own members”.
Geldenhuys, a former DA member, clearly has a warped view of his former party.
He rightfully cites our claim that the “DA [is] the only party that remembers and practices the late president Nelson Mandela’s vision for one South Africa for all” but then goes off the tracks when he analyses this claim in light of internal disputes and disciplining party members.
Let’s first unpack what our philosophy of “One South Africa for All” truly means.
For us, this is not just a slogan. It’s part of the core values of the DA – we inherently believe in a non-racial South Africa.
We want to live in an opportunity-driven, free, fair and diverse society.
Unlike the ANC and EFF who try to divide us along racial lines, the DA realises we are too rich in diversity to not stand together.
All South Africans should have opportunities to have a prosperous tomorrow and this can only be done by standing together.
This was the vision of Madiba, and this is the vision of the DA – the only party that still holds onto and practices the ideals of Madiba.
Geldenhuys proceeds to comment on our candidate lists for the upcoming election and says that the “disturbing story” behind it suggests that we do “not truly subscribe to this vision”.
This can be addressed in two ways: representation and fairness.
We are immensely proud to say that our lists are the most diverse of all political parties.
Many of the other political parties subscribe to racial mobilisation, but one just has to look at our lists to realise it reflects the diversity of our country: black, white, Indian and coloured people.
Different religions and languages are represented.
Promising young men and women, veteran politicians, experts and community workers are all on our lists. This diversity shows our dedication to an equal society where, regardless of your race, gender, sexuality or religion you have equal opportunities – in this case to represent the people of South Africa in Parliament and provincial legislatures around the country.
With regards to fairness, Geldenhuys refers to the removal of Siphesihle Dube for bringing the party in disrepute and for including other, what he calls “notorious” people such as Dianne Kohler Barnard, Mike Walters and Archibold Figlan.
It is very pertinent that these people are mentioned – their cases precisely represent the fair society we envision.
Unlike the ANC, the DA holds its members to account.
We follow due process and let procedures and the law take its course.
We have strictly followed internal processes with the Dube, Kohler Barnard, Walters and Figlan cases. Nobody is above the rules of the party or indeed the laws of South Africa. We have dealt with each case in the severest form possible.
These are not the actions of a party that does not embody the value of One South Africa for All.
Our own members – black or white, male or female – are all subjected to the same rules and we hold them accountable.
Compare this to the ANC: Its lists are filled with candidates who should be in prison, who have been found guilty of corruption, who have been tainted with allegations of sexual misconduct and who have betrayed the country for the benefit of their pockets.
Yet, nothing has happened to them.
The ANC is mum on the issue, even when it goes as high as President Cyril Ramaphosa himself.
Not a single person has been put in jail, not a single member has been suspended.
No processes were followed to hold them accountable.
The people of South Africa deserve better. They see right through this charade. We know the majority of South Africans believe in an equal and fair society and they don’t buy into the politics of dividing us along racial lines.
Come May 8 naysayers like Geldenhuys will have some introspection to do.
We will always be true to our ideals of a free, fair, opportunity-driven and diverse society.
Mphithi is the DA’s Youth Leader
*This article was amended on Tuesday, April 16 2019, to correctly attribute this piece to Luyolo Mphithi. It had originally attributed Mondli Zondo as the author. City Press regrets the error.
