Helen Zille’s long shadow hangs over DA leadership
Former DA leader Helen Zille’s shadow still looms large over the party
Former DA leader Helen Zille’s shadow still looms large over the party. This should not come as a surprise: she was responsible for the DA’s huge growth from what was a "white party" to one that is more demographically representative of the wider society. It was under Zille that the DA took control of Cape Town and the Western Cape and snatched its first municipality in Gauteng. Gregarious and bold, Zille stepped aside for her protégé, Mmusi Maimane, but as Western Cape premier she held a powerful government position and set the bar for DA-run government. She commanded respect and influence in the DA to a degree that became uncomfortable for Maimane. "People bowed down to her; in a sense he became second fiddle to her," said an MP who wished to remain anonymous. Maimane admitted it was difficult to have the former and current leader in the same leadership structure. He told the FM there was nothing sensational about the comment, and Zille herself has said she felt uncomfortable tryi...
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