Some might say the real test of any political leader is to evaluate how their party performs during elections. Good supporter turnout and high vote percentages at the polls might be enough to rule a party leader a success even while their rhetoric and policies may not be up to scratch.
Low turnout and a loss of the gains made in previous elections can be the nail in the coffin that forces a leader to fall on their sword and resign from their position. Even while they might have had a more clearly defined set of policies.
Neither John Steenhuisen nor the man in the hot seat before him, Mmusi Maimane, can claim to have clearly defined policy positions on a great number of issues facing the South African electorate. But Steenhuisen will face his first real electoral test come November 1 as it will be the first time that the Democratic Alliance contests an election with him at the leadership helm.
The Sunday Times Daily (Register to read) editorial has presumptively pronounced Steenhuisen a failure as DA leader citing a lack of direction, clear policy, and the recent elections poster blunder in Phoenix “heroes vs. racists”, for which Steenhuisen maintains there is nothing to apologise for even while the DA FedEx has called for an apology.
During the 2019 national elections under the leadership of Maimane, the DA lost seats in parliament and saw its share of the vote drop from 22% to 20% and ultimately Maimane left the leadership position and the party.
He had failed to grow the party’s voter base and share of the vote and in a few weeks, we will see whether Steenhuisen will suffer a similar fate during a time when the ANC is at its weakest and the DA really should have capitalised, writes Mbhazima Shilowa in News24. (Subscribe to read)
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Judith February | The choice of SA’s new chief justice is a high-stakes game – EWN
Jonathan Jansen | Transformation must never be an excuse to let standards drop – Sunday Times Daily (Register to read)
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