Has there been any other political party over the last decade that has seen so much talent leave its ranks to pursue ventures outside of politics, adjacent to politics, and just downright switching sides for a different political party than the Democratic Alliance?
The most recent departure is Mbali Ntuli, a rising star in the party who has been a member for 15 years after first joining when she was 19 years old. Ntuli even took on party leader John Steenhuisen in the leadership election in 2020 but will depart to pursue her “growth as a community leader”.
Others to have departed in recent years include successful Midvaal mayor Bongani Baloyi, former leader Mmusi Maimane, former Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba, former Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Athol Trollip, 22-year party veteran John Moodey, Phumzile van Damme, and the first of the high profile exits and touted as a future leader, Lindiwe Mazibuko, who left in 2014 already.
Mashaba went on to form ActionSA and Baloyi, Trollip and Moodey have all since joined Mashaba’s party.
So, the big question is why the DA continues to haemorrhage high profile party members at a time when the ANC has never been weaker, and the party should be capitalising on that weakness.
It’s a question the Friday Briefing team at News24 attempts to answer with differing opinions from a set of writers that include analysts Mpumelelo Mkhabela and Daniel Silke, Unisa’s professor Dirk Kotzé, and DA member Cilliers Brink.
Here’s a roundup of interesting opinions, analyses, and editorials:
Judicial independence is key priority for new Chief Justice Raymond Zondo – Daily Maverick
EDITORIAL | Zondo can use his celebrity status to build bridges – Sunday Times Daily (for subscribers)
SAM MKOKELI: The problem with investment conferences – Financial Mail
HILARY JOFFE: Sure, investment billions are welcome, but how fresh are they? – Business Day (for subscribers)
Why proposed amendments to SA’s electoral system favour the governing ANC – Daily Maverick
South Africa can damn Putin and stay non-aligned in the West – Mail & Guardian
Would putting private prosecutions out on tender make NPA less useless? – The Citizen (for subscribers)
