I have taken the decision to issue my resignation as a member of the Democratic Alliance.

While I take this decision with a heavy heart after 19 years of membership of the DA, I do so without regrets and with a clear conscience.

My entry into politics in 2003 was not to serve a political party. I entered politics after a lifetime of working in the healthcare industry, to serve the people of my country.

I have had the privilege to serve as a member of the National Assembly for the last 13 years and as a Councillor of Mangaung Metro Municipality prior to that.

The truth is that I no longer believe that the DA is the political vehicle that I joined in 2003. I do not feel that I belong in the DA or that I have the space to make the political contributions to my country. I harbour no ill-will to the DA and wish nothing but the best to the many good people who remain within the party.

I do not feel that my service to my country can end with the end of my membership within the DA. I have much to contribute in service to my country and cannot imagine walking away from politics while my country is in so much trouble.

I will approach ActionSA in the coming days to become a member of this exciting new party. In doing so I will begin talks with Herman Mashaba to assess what role I can play to serve South Africans through ActionSA.

I do this openly, transparently and with the pride of a South African who has unfinished business in the service of her country.

Patricia Kopane

Issued via Twitter, 15 August 2022