A Public Representative resigned from the DA. So What?

A political party is a voluntary association of people who (despite their many differences) come together to advance certain values that underpin policies they believe will be in the best interests of the country.

In a voluntary association, people can come and go as they like, and they do, for a host of reasons.

It is so normal that it almost never makes news.

Unless, of course, the party involved happens to be the DA, and a departing public representative happens to be black. Then they become an overnight celebrity and are elevated, retrospectively, to a position of “senior leadership” in the party (which is rarely the case).

These news items tell you more about the state of the media than they do about the DA.

Most of all, they illustrate the double-standards most of the media apply to the DA.

For example, over the past year, ActionSA has lost double the number of “senior black leaders” (six) in comparison to the DA (three). What’s more, most of the ActionSA’s ex-leaders were “purged”, unlike the DA’s representatives who voluntarily moved on.

Another example: the ANC, once a non-racial party, still uses the term to describe itself, but would battle to produce the evidence. It is almost entirely a uniracial party today -- a transition that has happened without media commentary of which I am aware.

In fact, most South Africans would be hard-pressed to name a single white person in the ANC, apart from Carl Niehaus (and, goodness knows, the ANC has been trying hard to expel him too).

Since the passing of Jessie Duarte, the ANC’s “top six” has followed most of the rest of the party into racial uniformity. Not only are they all black, they are all male as well.

If the DA’s leadership was the mirror image of that, the media would disintegrate in an apoplectic melt-down. The DA is the only party from which they demand diversity (and whatever we do is never enough).

The truth is that we are the only party that actually values diversity, which we seek to promote through merit-based selection processes. We have learnt many lessons of the past, where in some cases, other criteria were applied.

Another inconvenient truth the media will never acknowledge, is that the DA has more black public representatives today than most parties in Parliament almost all of which are black-led.

And, way more black public representatives, if you apply the broad definition of “black” as our critics inevitably do when they make a one-sided tally to show how many “black leaders” are supposedly leaving the DA.

If I had to compile a list, using the same broad definition of “black”, the number of public representatives who remained in the past year, would outnumber those who have left by about 250:1.

So, I will only use the narrow definition for my purposes here, which is to list some of the DA public representatives who remained or joined the DA in various spheres of government, countrywide in the past year.

The list is not exhaustive, and I expect to be criticised by some I may have inadvertently omitted. We do not engage in racial classification in the DA so drawing up a list like this is highly unusual, but I do it for the purposes of rebutting racist criticism from the media and so-called “analysts”.

In fact, far more of my colleagues in the list below will be angry because they have been identified on the basis of their race. They will, correctly, tell me that they joined the DA, and competed for an electable position, precisely to get away from apartheid pigeon-holes.

I accept that valid criticism and apologise in advance. But we have to draw a line with those who, under the veil of political analysis, seek nothing but our demise.

Most of the colleagues listed here diligently get on with their work, just like most others in the party. They do not seek to achieve celebrity status. The best among them will emerge in the top leadership ranks over time. They will work their way up, not be parachuted in. As it should be.

Most of them know that the media would turn every one of them into instant heroes if they resigned, for whatever reason, and issued a press statement to make sure the world knows.

Fortunately, the vast majority of them are too committed to the service for which they were elected to ever consider that.

I salute all of you:

Thamsanqa Balindlela

Kaya Baliso

Mbulelo Bara

Joey Bavuma

Nqaba Bhanga

Melanie Biko

Mzamo Billy

Tsholofelo Bodlani

Hector Bogopane

Sizwe Bontsa

Malusi Booi

Lyle Bouwer

Mxolisi Breakfast

Edward Scelo Buthelezi

Indlelibuzwakwabaphambili Michael Buthelezi

Dalu Cele

Florence Thembi Cele

Mbuyiswa Daniel Chabalala

Kingsol Chabalala

Matthews Chabalala

Lebohang Chalala

Xolile Ernest Chamane

Faeeza Fay Chame

Mandla Chauke

Sanelisiwe Pretty Chebure

Tiny Doraine Ramathabatha Chidi

Sibusiso Desmond Chonco

Cyril Kabelo Chuene

Monde Desha

Raymond Dhlamini

Bryan Dhludhlu

Bhekisisa Alex Dlamini

Nhlonipo Dlamini

Robert Frank Dlamini

Nobesuthu Dlova-Nampuluma

Mpumelelo Emmanual Dubazana

Nonhlanhla Cynthia Dube

Victor Dudley

Simon Dukwe

Yvonne Dzumba

Welile Fihla

Themba Fosi

Tukie Furumele

Kopano Gaebee

Mimmy Martha Gondwe

Tandeka Gqada

Hlanganani Gumbi

Siviwe Gwarube

Mnikelo Gwayi

Lorna Hali

Nceba Hinana

Prudence Hlanyane

Themba Abram Hlatshwayo

Helga Hlongoane

Christinah Hlophe

Buyelwa Jacobs

Sandile Criswell Jali

Kayaletu Jozana

Ziyanda Kalani

Xolile Kalipa

Phil Kani

Francis Kasonkomona

Odee Kepe

Frank Kgaboesele

Charmaine Kgakatse

Mokgadi Kganakga

Otto Kgeletsane

Herman Kgotlhang

Karabo Khakhau

Angel Thembisile Khanyile

Dennis Khasudi

Nomfundo Khubone

Bheki Khumalo

Ntombi Valencia Khumalo

Richard Khumalo

Zamani Khuzwayo

Archie Klaas

Raynie Klaasen

Chumani Kobeni

Johannes Schoeman Kobola

Neville Mvuleni Koikoi

Masthabela Lillian Kolisang

Andrew Komani

Patricia Kopane

Mawethu Kosani

Mahalia Kose

Girly Kubayi

Elijah Sipho Kunene

Stephens Kutumela

Mafanedza Kwinda

Bethuel Rahkapole Lamola

Linda Landu

Unathi Faizel Lasiti

Moshe Lefuma

KG Lekagane

Lucia Lekoto

Oupa Letlhake

Thabiso Letlhake

Norah Letsela

James Letuka

Ignatius London

Khayalethu Lose

Victor Lukhele

Ronny Manyama

Vincent Mokoala

Willie Mabena

Thami Mabhena

Scelo Mabika

Tonny Mkhethwa Mabizela

Neo Mabote

Nkateko Stephina Mabunda

Rodney Mabusela

Innocent Bonginkosi Mabuza

Aaron Madavha

Thembokwakhe Cornelus Madonda

Golden Maduana

Xolani Madyo

Ofentse Nathaniel Madzebatela

Noxolo Mafumana

Patrick Mafuna

Sanele Magaqa

Pumpesh Magazi

Garry Magcai

Sihle Magubane

Bhekani Mahlangeni

Koos Mahlangu

Moraswi Vincent Mahlare

Kabelo Mahonko

Malcolm Maifala-Masebe

Solomon Masehlele Maila

Mohanoe Abram Maimane

Anathi Majeke

Richard Majola

Robert Makgaila

Katlego Makgaleng

Ally Makhafula

Stone Makhema

Boitumelo Gladness Makhubedu

Isaac Thabo Makofane

Solly Malatsi

Mlungisi Sidwell Malaza

Edwin Maliela

Koos Malooi

Monwabisi Malungisa

Sinah Mamabolo

Zuko Mandile

Army Manenye

Gcobisa Mangcu-Qotyiwe

Revy Mange

Bubele Mangqalaza

Kagiso Mangwejane

Barnard Manne

Noziphiwo Mantshongo

Mduduzi Maphanga

Moses Thangwane Mapheto

Sicelo Maqhubu

Mashudu Joseph Mariba

Patrick Marobela

Rembuluwani Thelma Marole

Bridget Masango

James Masango

Foyoyo Maseko

Matlhodi Maseko

Tebogo Masenya

Tumelo Mashigo

Lillian Mashile

Tshepo Meriam Masia

Mphashe Johannes Masilo

Amos Masina

Noko Masipa

Dineo Masiu

David Masoeu

Vuyokazi Matanzima

Katlego Mathebe

Patricia Mathebula

sbusiso Mathebula

Sibongile Mathebula

Susan Mathebula

Oldridge Djundju Mathibe

Nomsa Victoria Mathobela

Sintethemba Matiwane

Calvin Matjee

Ronald Matlholoa

Nyembe Matlou

Levy Matshaba

Lydia Matsie-Skosana

Shiko Matsomane

Oupa Matwa

Sithandiwe Mavume

Rodney Tito Mavundza

Thandi Maxim

Phindile Maxiti

Lyrics Mazibuko

uMshanelo Mazibuko

Thandeka Mbabama

Thulani Mbana

Siseko Mbandezi

Victor Thabani Mbata

Tau Mbatha

Thunyelwa Mbekela

Nonie Mbete

Zakhele Mbhele

Fezeka Mbiko

Nomafrench Mbombo

Kuzwakele Marcus Mdau

Xoliswa Mdemka

Xoliswa Mdlazi

Mavis Mdluli

Sbusiso David Mdluli

Mpho Mehlape-Zimu

Siziwe Mei

Samuel Jabu Methula

Ruth Mgaga

Strike Mhlaba

Bongani Mhlanga

Sikelela Emmanuel Mhlongo

Tsepo Mhlongo

Sam Miza

Zandile Mkhize

Vincent Mkhize

Sakhumzi Mkhunqe

Bhekezakhe Mkhwanazi

Tembe Mmabatho

Sipho Hlabishi Mmaboko

Vincent Msawenkosi Mncwabe

Zwakele Mncwango

Sankie Octavia Mndawe

Ntokozo Joseph Mngoma

Sandile Mnikati

Canuel Mnisi

Masizole Mnqasela

Mziwakhiwe Mntshali

Nomathemba Brenda Mnyolo

Pali Mobango

Thembekile Martha Modiba

Sefofu Modisa

Ellen Moeketsane

Diphapang Mofokeng

Thabiso Mofokeng

KB Mogatosi

Sophia Mamy Mogola

Bontle Mogorosi

Tselane Mohatla

Clifford Mohau

Lebohang Mohlamme

Thabiso Mohlamme

Solomon Ngwako Mohonone

Ohentse Jeremiah Mokae

Moses Mokhele

Jafta Mokoena

Ntombi Mokoena

Tebello Mokoena

Adelaide Mokwena

Doc Molahloe

Tjekane Itumeng Molapo

Whitey Moleba

Sihle Theo Molebatsi

Attie Arthur Moleko

Dady Mollo

Mahlase Moloi

Botshelo Moloisane

Keke Molutsi

Oupa Moralo

KB Moreeng

Portia Moropane

Hlalele Mosuoane

Refiloe Annah Motakane

Sandy Motale

Tau Motau

Tlalane Motaung

Kelebogile Motheng

Daniel Motlhatlhedi

Lawrence Motlhoiwa

Eric Motloung

Isaac Lehlohonono Tlhadisi Motloung

Mokete Ishmael Motsamai

Dingaan Solly Motshwene

Thabo Duncan Motsoane

Zippora Motsoenyane

Aviwe Mpakane

Tim Mpakathe

Kwanele Mpehlo

Palesa Mpele

Gail Mphafudi

Daily Matheba Mphaho

Lerato Mphefo

Luyolo Mphithi

Ramadimetje Johanna Mphogo

Simon Jabulani Msibi

Solly Msimanga

Kwanele Precious Msimango

Joseph Msolo

Nonsikelelo Pearl Msomi

Thabani Msomi

Nosipho Mtakati

Zinzi Mteto

Peter Mthandeki

Duncan Mthembu

Thabani Mbongiseni Mthethwa

Thuli Mthethwa

Thandi Mary Mthimkhulu

Pogiso Mthimunye

Samson Muavha

Ndumi Mvinjelwa

Bulelwa Mvulana

Thabo Mvumvu

Thulani Sidwel Myeni

Vivian Myoli

Phelisa Sweetness Mzolisa

Sam Nape

Lucky Nhlanhla Ncayiyana

Anele Ndawo

Sumeia Ndayi

Welekazi Primrose Ndiweni

Nhlalayenza Ndlovu

Tsepo Ndwalaza

Nathiswa Ndwanyaza

Lusapo Ndziba

Sally Nene

Dumile Ngcamu

Leonard Mlungisi Ngcobo

Nathi Ngcobo

Sibongiseni Ngcobo

Musa Ngconcgo

Bhekokwakhe Ngema

Sithembiso Ngema

Maureen Motshetshe Ngoatle

Regina Zinhle Ngubo

Ndileka Ngxakangxaka

Nelio Nhacuangue

Bongumusa Nhlabathi

Mzuvukile Nikelo

Mamotse Njiva-Lebajoa

Banele Johannes Nkabinde

Musa Maxwell Nkala

Doctor Nkambule

Lwando Nkamisa

Tlax Nkoe

Portia Tshepiso Nkoko

Bongani Nkomo

Bongani Nkosi

Fana Nkosi

Mthokozisi Nkosi

Bongani Nkwanyana

Zodwa-Annitah Nkwebane

Stanley Thulane Nobela

Bax Nodada

Msa Nomatiti

Mzwakhe Nqavashe

Thabo Nthapo

Nomawabo Ntolosi

Lindile Ntsabo

Refiloe Ntsekhe

Sthabelo Nkozenhle Ntshangase

Anda Ntsodo

Zwelinzima Ntsodo

Bheka Ntuli

Nontobeko Ntuli

Xolani Clement Nyalunga

Nicholas Nyati

Mxolisi Oyiya

Makatisane Papo

Koketso Paul

Katlego Phala

David Phalane

Mpho Louisa Phalatse

Tshegofatso Pheto

Kamogelo Christopher Phiri

Sylvester Phokoje

Nomathemba Phungula

Lulamo Pili

Wonga Potwana

Luttiga Presente

Sello Putsoenyane

Kefuoe Putuma

Thandi Qatana

Lucky Sipho Qoka

Winston Rabotapi

Aubrey Radebe

Sebenzile Rafani

Ditiragalo Rakgatlha

Rejoyce Rakoma

Mahlatswa Lebeus Ramalepe

Gary Ramaru

Strike Rambani

Palesa Ramokhabi

Tumelo Robert Ramongalo

Belias Ramothwala

Rebaona Rampe

Khume Ramulifho

Thabang Rankoe

Khathutshelo Rasilingwane

Eddie Rasoeu

Lerato Ratlou

Simangele Sabe

Samuel Sandlana

Happy Sebego

Sabatha Segoba

Small Sehume

Sello Seitlholo

Lenyora Seth Sekhokho

Matsobane Victor Sekhu

Thabo Selepe

Dikeledi Selowa

Karabo Darius Semfeng

Matome Lebby Serumula

Shaun Sesana

Esrom Lesiba Setho

Grace Sethuntsha

Hlangani Hezekia Shabalala

Bawinile Shabane

Ketha Shandu

Samuel Sheane

Hess Shebe

Maliyakhe Lymon Shelembe

Swelakhe Shelembe

Frank Shongwe

Hlengs Shozi

David Sibanyoni

Joseph Sibanyoni

Senzi Sibeko

Sibo Sibisi

Comfort Sibiya

Mnqobi Lancelot Sibiya

Nkosinathi David Sibiya

Mzameki Sibunzi

Nonhlanhla Sifumba

Siyasanga Sijadu

Thembelani Sikhakhane

Kindross Silaule

Isaac Sileku

Sithi Silosini

Chief Sindyamba

Jane Sithole

Luvuyo Sizani

Simon Skosana

Moshe Snyer

Cedric Soko

Nonana Somzana

Freddy Sonakile

Bongani Sonqwenqwe

Fuzile Sontsi

Monde Stemele

Zimkhitha Sulelo

Thizwilondi James Tapani

Anele Thabatha

Mabekenyane Thamahane

Selby Thekiso

Innocent Ikalafeng Thobeko

Kenneth Siprian Thukwane

Teboho Thulo

Simangaliso Thusi

Dumisani Thwala

Zweli Thwala

Thabo Tibane

Tuelo Joshua Tikane

Themba Tlhagale

Nwabisa Sheila Tlhakudi

Sello Tlhapi

Tebogo Tlhokwe

Lunga Tokwe

Maki Emily Tshabalala

Themba Wiseman Tshandu

General Tshivhula

Fako Tsotetsi

Simon Tsotetsi

Inno Tyobeka

Skura Venene

Edward Khululekile Von Bodenstein

Funeka Sarah Wolose

Duma Xaba

Maki Xaba

Chris Temba Xangayi

Bonga Xhangayi

Gibson Jabulani Xulu

Nomvano Zibonda

Gerome Zondi

Sphesihle Zondi

Kwanele Zonke

Thamsanqa Mduduzi Zungu

Jeff Zwane

Source: www.facebook.com/helenzille