‘We're not a white party’: Steenhuisen slams suggestions DA axing black leaders
The Democratic Alliance (DA) once again slammed suggestions that the organisation has been booting out its black leaders in the run-up to 2024’s much-awaited elections.
FILE: Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen addresses a media briefing on 5 July 2023. Picture: Democratic Alliance
JOHANNESBURG - The Democratic Alliance (DA) once again slammed suggestions that the organisation has been booting out its black leaders in the run-up to 2024’s much-awaited elections.
The exodus of black leaders from South Africa's main opposition party has been a hot debate, as it boasts cultural diversity within the organisation.
Speaking during a virtual question and answer engagement on Tuesday night, its leader, John Steenhuisen, said the party was not aligned to any race.
In the last few years, democrats like Mmusi Maimane, Mbali Ntuli, and Makashule Gana resigned from the DA, with Khume Ramulifho being one of the latest to ditch the blue party.
When Maimane left the organisation, he said the DA needed to belong to South Africans and not only the minority, while Ramulifho claimed it was not an inclusive organisation.
However, Steenhuisen said the departure of black members from the party had nothing to do with the colour of their skin.
“It’s silly season now in politics. You're going to see a lot of jumping around between parties. The Democratic Alliance is not a white party. Yes, we've got white members, but we're not a white party.”
He added that leaders didn't need to be black to stand for oppressed and marginalised black South Africans, saying the party didn't see colour.