In constitutional democracies, like South Africa, a number of freedoms are guaranteed. One of these is the right of association and that includes political association. It is surely becoming laughable, however, that every failed, disappointed or perhaps even newbie aspirant politician seems to feel the need to form his or her own party: “to save South Africa.”
Each is entitled to be treated with respect and the leader of the Opposition, John Steenhuisen, has gone out of his way to do just that. In seeking to deal with the fragmentation of politics in our country and create a combined force that has the potential to challenge an ANC/EFF coalition, Steenhuisen issued an invitation to all parties and leaders who are, inter alia, on the same page as the DA in support of the constitution, the Rule of Law, economic growth and the upliftment of our people, to participate in discussions about his moonshot proposal.
A number of parties have signified their willingness; others are more hesitant, and one or two, inexplicably, want no part of this historic endeavour. Hopefully, some or all will change their minds and join in.
One recalls that at the last General Election, 48 political parties registered to participate at national level; 13 managed to get elected to parliament. 2 of those managed to get one member each and 6 others got 2 MPs. With great respect to them all, it would be difficult to discern what difference all of these small parties have made to Parliament or to the political discourse in our country. Some voters who supported them must be wondering if their votes were wasted. Others may well feel that if their party becomes part of a broad alliance, there may well be some good reason to vote for them again.
One does not and cannot dismiss the possibility that a small party can grow into a larger one. The Democratic Alliance, formerly the Democratic Party (DP) polled 1.7% of the votes in 1994 and by 1999, under the leadership of Tony Leon, became the official opposition in South Africa. But there are very few Tony Leons among the emerging party leaders.
One of the latest leaders is Songezo Zibi. Interesting, intelligent, certainly well-meaning and with a broad knowledge of the economy, he would be an acquisition by any party. But is his Rise Mzansi likely to get anywhere? Does anyone remember Agang?
The leader, Dr Mamphela Ramphele, was a renowned figure of significant stature who declined the offer to be the DA’s presidential candidate and pressed ahead with forming Agang. No one could understand what made her party so different and worth supporting.
In the first election there was an almost total wipe out and she declined to go to Parliament before leaving or being evicted from Agang, which in the next election failed to get even one seat. One hopes the same fate does not lie ahead for Zibi, described in a headline with the question: Is he the next Van Zyl Slabbert? The questioner has forgotten that Slabbert, one of the most charismatic and gifted political leaders South Africa has ever had, ended up attracting few Afrikaner supporters and almost no black supporters.
Establishing a successful political party in our country is backbreaking. Ask me. I have been involved in politics since 1950 and the DA since 1975. South Africans are rightly sceptical of politicians. And so they should be, especially those who suddenly emerge claiming to have all the answers in this year’s new, improved model political party.
Douglas Gibson is a former opposition chief whip and a former ambassador to Thailand. His website is douglasgibsonsouthafrica.com.
This article first appeared in The Star newspaper.
