After only six day of nuptials without the marriage contract ever being signed, the divorce between the DA and Dr Mamphela Ramphele has now been confirmed.
The failure of both the DA and Ramphele to find common cause is likely to impact upon both parties in different ways. A number of outcomes will now influence the initial phases of Election 2014.
The momentum (however undefined) that was present following the important announcement of Ramphele as the DA's ‘presidential' candidate now swings back from the official opposition to both the ANC and perhaps other smaller players like the EFF. The DA had - until the Ramphele announcement - a rather lacklustre beginning to their campaign and while Ramphele was never going to reel in the many millions of votes the DA might've hoped for, she did bring an admired history and political pedigree along with a perception of possible growth to the party.
In addition, both the DA and Agang have spent precious media time at each other's throat and have lost the critical anti-ANC initiative that is so important. It will take time, resources and skills to restore this.
The re-fragmentation of two political parties that were largely close to each other in policy or ideological terms serves once again to dissipate opposition strength. Contrary to some analysts who believe the parts are of more use than the whole, a stronger more united opposition is constantly a demand from voters and as such would at least galvanise most of the party faithful and some undecided voters to choose a larger more powerful player rather than weakened sub-entities.
A relatively acrimonious parting of the ways plays directly into the hands of the ANC. This could not be a better gift for the ruling party who themselves had a pretty good Election Manifesto launch and are likely to exploit every aspect of the divorce. The racial overtones so prevalent in the Ramphele fiasco will be used by the ruling party to re-open and inflame the ever-present Achilles heel of the DA.