NATASHA MARRIAN: DA continues to shoot itself in the foot as it hobbles from one crisis to another
Fallout from Gwen Ngwenya's resignation is the latest in a long list of signs that SA’s main opposition party is losing its grip
Race is not the only issue hobbling the DA — it is clear that the party is strategically adrift. Differences over the party’s stance towards broad-based black economic empowerment are said to be at the heart of the resignation of its policy chief, Gwen Ngwenya, less than a month before the party is set to unveil its manifesto for elections that promise to be its toughest in a decade. The strategic drift can be traced to the weakening of the capacity of its senior management, a factor that became apparent at its national conference in 2018 when there were moves to challenge federal council chair James Selfe, who in effect runs the operational arm of the party. The first glaring sign of this loss of capacity at the top is the DA’s failure to grasp the reality that with a shift in the size and complexion of its support base, a shift in strategy is required. This has not happened. The party’s list process is said to be a nightmare, with white people at the top. While it is trying hard t...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.