By Darren Mara/SBS
It’s a major step in the Democratic Alliance’s bid to present itself as an alternative to the ruling African National Congress.
The election of 34 year old Mmusi Maimane is an attempt by the DA to broaden its appeal among black voters, more than two decades after the formal end of apartheid. Maimane wasted no time addressing the topic of race.
“Here in this party, there will be no room for those who seek to divide or those who want to mobilise on the basis of race.” Maimane started his rise to prominence in 2011, when he became the party’s national spokesman.
In the 2014 national elections, he lost his bid to lead the provincial government of South Africa’s richest province, Gauteng, but shortly afterwards took up the position of the DA’s parliamentary leader.
Maimane got to work quickly outlining his vision for South Africa. “We accept the fact that black South Africans in the main have been disadvantaged by our past. I mean that statement is quite clear that where we want to get to is to build a society. And we must accept that young people are equally disadvantaged. I made the point 66 per cent of them form part of the 35 per cent who are unemployed. We have got to work harder towards that so that one day the opportunities that are open to South Africans, the destination surely must be building a diverse society.”
The DA’s former leader, Helen Zille, says Mr Maimane’s election signals a new dawn for the party and for South Africa.
Ms Zille is stepping down after leading the party to 22 per cent of votes in the 2014 national election, its best performance.
The ruling party and former liberation movement the African National Congress won that poll with more than 60 per cent of votes.
Ms Zille told SABC News Mr Maimane’s election can strengthen South African democracy.
“A new chapter, a new era for South Africa. The Democratic Alliance is going and growing and winning, and that is good news for South Africa and our democracy, for everybody’s rights, for everybody’s freedom, fairness and opportunity for every single citizen of South Africa.”
Much of South Africa’s black population lives in poverty and the DA hopes Mr Maimane’s election can help broaden its appeal in a country still deeply divided along racial lines.
The Democratic Alliance is considered a traditionally white party and some critics accuse it of not being fully committed to transforming the country’s inequalities.
That includes not supporting an affirmative action law requiring companies and institutions to increase the number of blacks in their ranks.
These DA supporters told SABC News, they have faith in Mr Maimane’s ability to break through racial barriers.
“(People talk) as if the DA is only a white party, but now we’ve voted for Mmusi Maimane they’re going to see that the purpose of this is not for white, is not for black: the purpose is to make a change in this new South Africa.”
“Excited and delighted because this is the new dawn … it’s happening today. So I’m excited.”
“Great victory for democracy. I think this is how South Africa should work.”
“I’m feeling great. It’s growth, it’s development and we’re going forward.”
