DA still trapped in comfort of opposition

THE DA spent decades branding itself as the champion of good governance and the only viable alternative to the ANC. Yet, despite finally entering the Government of National Unity (GNU), the DA remains shackled by its deeply ingrained oppositionist mindset.

- DUGAN BROWN, YONELA TSHISE-MLAMBO & ANASTASIA SOLOMONS

In face of continuous tire responsi-bility of governance, the DA chose to continue its tired routine of obstruc-tion, self-righteous grandstanding and mindless contradictions. The DA’s role in the GNU exposes a party more fixated on posturing against the ANC than actual governance.

Therefore, if the 2024 general elec-tions, rather than being a moment of renewal for the DA, have only con-firmed its inability to transition from opposition rhetoric to realpolitik.

The party was eager to join the GNU, convinced it had engineered a grand strategy to weaken ANC dom-inance.

Helen Zille and other DA leaders boasted about their negotiation prow-ess, claiming that the ANC could not pass legislation without DA approval. This relies on an imagined strangle-hold over the GNU has since crumbled spectacularly.