AGANG Denied DA Kiss the Day Before it Happened
South Africa, welcome to the DAgang where it’s ok to lie or try win our lives/votes no matter the cost to democracy.
Mamphele Ramphele said, at the start of AGANG:
“What would I have accomplished
if I had joined the DA
or even a newly-established DA.
Nothing.”
Could it be that AGANG, that was rumoured to be bankrupt and had never solidified a policy, let alone participated in an election, had become a less than regal mess so that Mamphele Ramphele contradicted her statements so as to further her own interests? Is this floor-crossing in another guise?
As President Elect in the DA, Ramphele will never become an actual president in the next election because the ANC will still carry a majority no matter how many times they screw up. Surely she knows that she’ll be become a backbencher in Parliament. Maybe she’s playing a longer game of power.
In the shorter run, she will be considered by many of her supporters to be a traitor but some, surely, will follow. It’s possible that young, black, middle class youth will appreciate the cool factor of her being the ex of Steve Biko, maybe looking up to a black, female billionaire as an icon. If rappers can earn a ‘cool’ factor with less, then surely Ramphele can too?
Helen Zille probably considers a possible 1 or 2% electorate gain worth it. And, maybe, even, Ramphele’s business connections can add more anonymous funds to the DA war chest.
Is any of this done in the spirit of democracy?
South Africa, welcome to the DAgang.
PS: The day before AGANG joined the DA, their website denied the union. Checkout this screenshot of what they’ve now removed:
Agang is still independant. This is simply a loose agreement regarding these elections. Mamphela’s big mistake here was to expect clear, non sensationalist reporting by the press. Agang will be there in the election, she obviously does not believe that they can win. The DA however deluded, seem to think that they could win, and therefore need a presidential candidate, and of course, they cannot win if Helen is to be president, but Mamphela, may just make a great president.
I know many, looking for an alternative to voting ANC again, – maybe Agang can fill the gap.
Fact is that most of the DA and AGANG constituencies were not informed which makes for a lot of egg-on-face as well as the questioning of what is defined as democracy in their parties.
You couldn’t make it up. Well, you could, but people would point at you and say things like “You’re making it up!”
Ha ha. You cheered up my morning:)