The cracks in the DA: Zille flip-flops on commitment to ensure social justice and redress to Black, Coloured and Indian people
Helen Zille, no doubt under fire from the arch conservatives, racists and bigots in the DA, has accepted responsibility for the "mistake" the party made in supporting the Employment Equity Bill. Such a statement seems incredible, if one unpacks its meaning.
The DA has been desperately trying to rebrand itself as a party for all races. It has claimed struggle credentials. It has promoted Black leaders in many of its structures. Yet, when it comes to a principled issue such as Employment Equity, the DA reveals its true colour-White only.
Although the DA claims to support social justice and redress, when one unpacks its proposed strategy, it is clear that no social justice and no redress will come from it. The trickle down policy that the DA says will undo the apartheid legacy amounts to nothing more than lip service. The argument that Zille makes; empowerment equals job creation, education and economic development is ludicrous. Work, education and opportunity are the basic rights of all South Africans. These principles are in our constitution. But so is the principle of intervention to correct the wrongs done under apartheid.
Zille's argument basically amounts to a rejection of that principle. So in other words the DA supports the principle of redress, but it is not willing to do anything about it. It is instructive to note that the divide in the DA on this issue is essentially a racial one. Black DA members have been whipped into line on this issue, essentially being forced to act against their own interests.
Even the DA's claim that BEE has only enriched a few powerful individuals is revealing. It amounts to saying that corporate South Africa can make super profits and the families who originally benefitted from apartheid-the Oppenheimers, the Ruperts, etc. must carry on making billions, but we should not support those Black entrepreneurs who have made a success despite the barriers corporate South Africa has put in their place. The ANC has always argued that more empowerment needs to take place. The DA says this, but then wants to remove the measures that have resulted in the little that has taken place.
While the DA constantly carps about the ANC and its position on social justice and redress, it is clear that the few Black, Coloured and Indian members of the DA understand that the party's policies will get them no support from Black people. Voters should understand this clearly. A vote for the DA is a vote to conserve White power, White privilege and White wealth. A vote for the DA is a vote against the advancement of the interests of Black, Indian and Coloured people.
Phillip Dexter is Chief Political Advisor to the Chief Whip of the ANC Parliamentary Caucus. He writes in his personal capacity.
Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter
