Sex, Scandal, and Political Suicide: The DA's Likability Problem
The DA’s internal fractures and failure to navigate coalition politics have left it vulnerable to exploitation by smaller parties. But are they willing to swallow their pride?
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has been South Africa’s second-largest political party for 25 years, once seen as the promising alternative to the African National Congress (ANC). However, as the political landscape becomes increasingly fragmented, the DA’s internal divisions and its inability to build meaningful coalitions threaten its future relevance. The recent budget saga highlights these weaknesses, offering a clear illustration of the party's political immaturity and its failure to navigate the intricacies of coalition politics.
The recent budget impasse, in particular, has exposed the cracks within the DA. ActionSA, a party formed by former DA members, has capitalised on these vulnerabilities. Led by Herman Mashaba, Michael Beaumont, and Athol Trollip, former DA stalwarts, ActionSA has positioned itself as a direct challenger to the DA’s dominance. Their recommendation to block the budget during coalition negotiations can be seen as a tactical move aimed at weakening the DA’s standing, but it also reflects a more profound issue: the DA’s inability to maintain political cohesion and forge lasting coalitions.
The DA’s history of fractured coalitions is telling. From the Moonshot Pact to the collapse of partnerships in Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni, the party’s track record in coalition governance has been far from successful. These failures have left the DA isolated, making it vulnerable to exploitation by emerging parties like ActionSA. While the DA has secured 21% of the vote, the reality is that this is insufficient in a multiparty system where coalition politics are critical. The DA’s reluctance to acknowledge this reality, and its tendency to frame itself as a victim, underscores its inability to navigate the complexities of coalition governance.
ActionSA, capitalising on the DA’s failures, has used the budget saga to further distinguish itself from the DA’s increasingly fractured politics. Some may view ActionSA’s recommendation as a deliberate attempt to sabotage the DA, but in truth, the DA has largely set the stage for its own marginalisation. The party’s consistent alienation of former leaders and staffers like Mashaba, Beaumont, and Trollip has left a political vacuum, which smaller parties have been quick to fill. The DA's internal divisions and failure to maintain relationships with former allies have made it an easy target.
This situation serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of making political enemies within one’s own ranks. In a fragmented, multiparty system, where alliances are crucial, the DA’s tendency to alienate potential partners has proven to be its undoing. Coalition politics are about collaboration, compromise, and respect. The DA’s failure to recognise this and its insistence on treating political disagreements as personal betrayals have left it increasingly isolated and vulnerable, with the Freedom Front Plus as its only ally.
While the ANC cannot be absolved of blame in the budget saga, and ActionSA’s role in stirring tensions is undeniable, the DA’s political immaturity has played a central role in the current crisis. Its inability to build and maintain coalitions, combined with its arrogant approach to governance, has laid the ground for smaller parties to exploit any disagreement with the GNU. The DA’s response to the budget impasse acting as though it is simply a victim, fails to recognise its own role in the situation. Both the ANC and ActionSA have contributed to the current stalemate, yet it is the DA’s internal divisions and its inability to engage in coalition-building that have left it particularly vulnerable. The DA’s ongoing court case regarding the budget. In a coalition system, simply running to court when disagreements arise is not a solution. If the ANC does not wish to engage, the DA must find ways to make them, rather than adopt a posture of helplessness. The idea that the DA is simply a victim in this situation is misguided. Both parties have played a role in the budget impasse, yet the DA’s response has been to distance itself further from the negotiation table. This lack of political maturity is self-defeating. If the DA truly wishes to participate in the Government of National Unity (GNU), it must be willing to work through its differences with the ANC and other coalition partners or it must simply leave.
This is not just about the DA’s internal struggles; it is about the party’s relationship with its voters. If the DA continues to alienate potential allies and adopt an uncompromising, arrogant stance, it risks alienating not only its coalition partners but also the electorate. The party’s failure to adapt to the realities of coalition politics is undermining its ability to govern effectively and to offer tangible solutions to the country’s challenges.
Adding further complexity to the DA’s, ActionSA woes is the controversial role of its leader, John Steenhuisen, particularly his affair with Michael Beaumont’s then-wife. While personal matters should ideally remain separate from political decisions, the lingering controversy surrounding Steenhuisen's decision-making skills has exacerbated the party’s image problem. His callous remarks, such as his “roadkill” comment about his ex-wife, have done little to quell the negative perception of the DA’s culture, especially in a country grappling with a gender-based violence and femicide crisis. This toxic internal culture, compounded by the party’s reluctance to address its own issues, only contributes to the DA’s growing isolation.
The DA’s failure to engage in self-reflection and adapt to the shifting political environment has left it vulnerable to further fragmentation. As South Africa’s political system becomes increasingly defined by multiparty alliances, the DA must confront its own arrogance and internal divisions if it hopes to remain relevant. The party must recognise that coalition politics require compromise, collaboration, and an ability to form meaningful, lasting relationships. The days of a self-righteous, superior DA are over.
The DA cannot continue to use the ANC as a yardstick to measure its political decisions. While it may be tempting to compare the party’s actions to the ANC's and claim, "the ANC is worse," or "the ANC is doing this," such comparisons are no longer valid when the DA is actively participating in governance alongside the ANC. This approach undermines the need for cooperation and compromise, which are essential in coalition politics. If the DA is truly committed to being part of the GNU, it must focus on constructive engagement rather than treating the ANC as merely an adversary.
Ultimately, the DA’s failure to navigate the current budget saga highlights a deeper, more troubling issue: the party's inability to mature politically in an era defined by coalition politics.
As South Africa’s political landscape continues to fragment, the DA’s refusal to engage in meaningful collaboration and its tendency to treat potential allies as adversaries could spell its downfall. The rise of ActionSA, capitalising on the DA's vulnerabilities, is not just a challenge—it’s a stark reminder that the DA's future in government hinges on its willingness to compromise and adapt. If the party continues to cling to an outdated, exclusionary opposition approach, it risks being overshadowed by a new political order, relegated to the fringes of South Africa’s political discourse.
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