DA joins alliance of bigots planning Western Cape secession

29 September 2022

The Democratic Alliance’s announcement that it is climbing into bed with the Cape Independence Party, Afriforum, FF+, ACDP, Action Society, Saai, the Kaapse Forum and the Cape Independence Advocacy Group reveals its true values and objectives.

The announcement comes hot on the heels of DA Mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis, publicly distancing himself from the values of the Cape Independence Advocacy Group.

Aesop’s ancient fable, The Ass and His Purchaser, which gave rise to the popular expression that people are known by the company they keep, very strongly applies.

If the DA is serious about advocating for the devolution of powers, there is no need for it to collaborate with reactionary, racist and secessionist bedfellows on a “Western Cape Devolution Working Group”.

There is no need, because the party is in government in the Western Cape, and Chapter 11 and Schedule 5 of the Constitution specifically provide the legal basis for provincial governments to seek the devolution of functions from national to provincial governments. 

If the DA dreams of establishing an Oranje-type independent Western Cape homeland it should have the courage of its convictions to say so.

The devolution of powers to provincial and local governments is a policy position that GOOD supports.

Indeed, it was former Mayor of Cape Town Patricia de Lille (now GOOD Leader), together with her then Mayco Member for Transport and Urban Settlements Brett Herron (now GOOD Secretary-General), who first pursued the devolution of transport functions to the City as far back as 2014.

GOOD stands firmly against prejudice and exclusion in all forms and is vehemently opposed to calls for the secession of any areas of the country.

By joining the alliance, the DA is telling us it stands for quite the opposite.

It reflects the continuing moral degeneration of its national leadership, and how little it has in common, these days, with the values and principles of the woman it claims as its spiritual godmother, the late Helen Suzman, who stood squarely against racism and separatism.

GOOD will continue to advocate for the devolution of powers to provincial and local governments as provided for in law, and does not require the assistance of bigots to do so.

Issued by Brett Herron, GOOD: Secretary-General & Member of Parliament, 29 September 2022