2014 Elections South Africa: DA and Agang’s still-born alliance

Last week, Mamphela Ramphele and Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Helen Zille held a press conference to announce an alliance that, according to them, would shift the axis of South African politics. Mamphela Ramphele was to become the DA’s presidential candidate in the upcoming elections, and her political party Agang would merge with the DA. In less than a week since the announcement the alliance between the two women has crumbled; tearing up any hopes for a formidable alternative to the ANC, and seriously eradicating any credibility Mamphela Ramphele had left. This still-born alliance may have hurt the DA’s chances in the upcoming elections but it has certainly put the final nail in the coffin for Ramphele’s political career.

Merger confusion

The first signs of trouble for the DA/Ramphele alliance came after some confusion regarding the merger between the DA and Agang. When the alliance was first announced it was stated that a technical committee would be created to merge the two parties. It emerged afterwards that Ramphele had acted without prior consultation with her party members who were surprised by her decision. For many Agang members and supporters the party was an alternative to both the ANC and the DA. Ramphele was thought to be jumping ship from an already troubled party; a move seen as an ultimate betrayal by her loyal supporters.

Ramphele later backtracked and tried to reassure her members that Agang would not be folding as a political party. Instead the party would be partnering with the DA during the elections. This would have meant that Ramphele would remain Agang leader while being the DA’s presidential candidate; a situation in contravention of both parties’ constitutions including the Constitution of the country. This position from Ramphele revealed her political naivety and an inability to understand the basics of South African electoral processes.  Over the course of last week she released a litany of media statements that failed to give any clarity to her supporters and the rest of the public. By Sunday 2nd of February the DA had given her an ultimatum to make a decision about joining the party. Ramphele decided to renege on the deal severely damaging her reputation and embarrassing long-time friend Helen Zille.

Zille’s fatal mistake

The critical mistake in the DA’s invitation to Ramphele was in believing that she could have boosted the party’s share of vote in the upcoming elections. While the DA had struggled amongst black voters, Ramphele’s inclusion would not have solved the problem. Any gains the DA will make in the elections will have been as a result of its past performance. To make Mamphela Ramphele the presidential candidate a few months away from the elections showed a lack of faith in the party’s current leadership. This mistake will fall squarely on the shoulders of party leader Helen Zille, who is leading the transformation. Helen Zille could have waited till after the elections, to see where Ramphele’s Agang stood. Agang is struggling financially and would have had a terrible showing in the elections. Had Agang not received a seat in parliament, the DA could have invited Ramphele to become a member. They would have been able to negotiate from a strong position. Now the party has to deal with unnecessary criticism about its empty play at transformation.

When Ramphele was invited to join the DA the party was accused of window dressing to gain votes. The ANC labelled the move a “rent-a-black” strategy that showed the DA’s desperation for a black face in its election campaign. Now that Ramphele has spurned the party; the DA will still have to deal with the stigma of these accusations. This was an avoidable publicity disaster for both parties.

The long game

Helen Zille should have been looking at a long term strategy when she invited Ramphele to the DA. Ramphele would have been the first of many steps to attract prominent black leaders with no home in politics. This line of thinking would have been aimed growing the parties support amongst black voters with a vision looking towards the elections in 2019. The DA already has young, charismatic black leadership in the likes of Lindiwe Mazibuko and Mmusi Maimane. In the next five years they will be building political experience that will set them apart from ANC candidates who may be burdened by the failures of government. These two young leaders could have used the mentorship and endorsement from the likes Mamphela Ramphele.

Within the DA, Ramphele would have also been useful in recruiting black people from diverse backgrounds who have been successful outside of politics. This group usually feels that there is no space for them within the ANC, especially with the party’s hostile attitude towards intellectualism since Jacob Zuma came to power. Her involvement could have made it gradually more comfortable for prominent black people coming from other sectors of the society to join the DA.

Another critical advantage of having Ramphele in the DA would be the display of gender diversity. Ramphele could have brought an important perspective to the South African political discourse, as a black woman and a mother. The DA would have gained a prominent female figure who could speak authoritatively on key issues which mostly impact women; mainly South Africa’s triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment. Contrasted against a mostly male #ANC top six the DA could have stood out in the male centered political dynamics of South Africa.

The Way forward

The DA and Agang will look to put the mess of their failed merger behind them as they look towards the 2014 elections. For the DA, this will be much easier as the party already had set objectives for the elections which did not take Ramphele’s involvement into account. While Helen Zille will face criticism within her own party, she is already on her way out as DA leader so the damage will not be so severe. Should the DA achieve its mission of reaching the desired 30% of the electoral vote, Zille will end her legacy on a high note.

The future for #Agang and Mamphela Ramphele in South African politics appears to be grimmer. The party has been struggling with funds and is unlikely to make any significant impact in the competitive electoral campaigns of 2014. The party’s leadership, starting with #Ramphele, has been exposed as inexperienced and lacking any vision that could attract voters. If Ramphele’s party was able to get a single seat in parliament this year, that would exceed present expectations. 

Originally published on the africapractice website: http://www.africapractice.com/blogposts/page/27/?id=4749