South Africa: Official opposition leader throws in the towel
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – South Africa’s official opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) was thrown into turmoil on Wednesday following the dramatic resignation of party leader, Mmusi Maimane, amid claims that the party is deeply divided on racial grounds.
Maimane who took leadership of the party in May 2015 succeeded Helen Zille who has returned as federal chairperson and they have openly clashed in the past. In a further blow to the party, senior official Athol Trollip also resigned on Wednesday, saying “there's a time to come and a time to go in politics''.
Addressing a media briefing in Johannesburg, Maimane said he had attempted to free the majority of South Africans from the shackles of poverty, indignity and despair.
“I am not a career politician, and I have never sought to be. I have always only been driven by a vision to build a united, prosperous and reconciled South Africa where all citizens have a fair shot in life and where the colour of your skin does not determine your future prospects. It is no secret that for decades the DA has been seen as a party for minorities only. The majority of South Africans, mainly black South Africans, did not relate to the DA,” he said.
He said there has been a consistent and coordinated attempt to undermine his leadership and he has come to the conclusion that despite his best efforts, the DA is not the vehicle best suited to take forward the vision of building a united South Africa.
“It is with great sadness that in order to continue the fight for this vision I so strongly believe in, and the country I so dearly love, I today tender my resignation as leader of the Democratic Alliance,” he added.
-0- PANA CU/VAO 23Oct2019
