We must remember what Helen Suzman did for Parliament and South Africa
I have today, together with DA Federal Chairperson, Dr Wilmot James, unveiled the Know Your DA campaign poster (see below).
200 of these posters will be erected in the streets surrounding Parliament as a reminder to my colleagues, on both sides of the house, of the important role played by the DA in fighting against Apartheid.
As they drive into Parliament every day, I want them to know, and be proud, of the efforts of some of those inside of Parliament, including Helen Suzman, in opposing Apartheid and its horrific legislation which denigrated so many of our people.
Helen, for 13 years, was the sole MP to stand up against the Apartheid regime. She endured abuse and insults from both sides of the house as a result. But she did not falter. In debate after debate; vote after vote, she stood up for what was right and showed all South Africans and the world that oppression would not go unanswered.
She stood up against Detention without Trial; the Pass Laws; Unlawful Organisations Act; Mixed Marriages Act; Immorality Act; Group Areas Act and Job Reservation amongst others.
She is indeed a great South African, whom this Parliament should honour. I will be tabling a motion for debate in the National Assembly, at the next opportunity, to honour her legacy. It is important that we remember the role that different South Africans played, from many different organisations, in the fight against Apartheid.
But the ANC does not want this, because if South Africans know the truth about the DA, it will derail the ANC's propaganda war.
The ANC is deeply worried about losing its monopoly on the struggle against apartheid. Why else would its leadership have an invasive photo-op, in Houghton, Johannesburg yesterday evening?
My message to them today is that they have every reason to be worried.
We are breaking down the misconceptions about the DA and South Africans are happy to know the truth. In fact, many are upset that they have been fed lies for so long.
They want to know, as many do not, that my colleague Dr Wilmot James too was detained by Security Police in 1976 for his anti-apartheid efforts in the South African Students Organisation;
And that DA Leader, Helen Zille, hid ANC activists in her house during the 1986 State of Emergency;
And that former DA MP, and Federal Chairperson, Joe Seremane, was detained on Robben Island for 6 years;
And that MPs such as Colin Eglin, James Selfe, Tony Leon and Dene Smuts played a key role in the establishment of our liberal Constitution during the negotiations at CODESA and the Constituent Assembly.
These are the stories that make me proud to be DA.. These are the stories South Africans need to know so they can make an informed choice on delivery and record in 2014.
Statement issued by Lindiwe Mazibuko MP, DA Parliamentary Leader, April 30 2013
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