DA transformation policies stance dents its image and may lose it votes, says expert  

The DA’s stance on transformation policies puts its reputation and reach at risk, says an internationally renowned reputation management expert. 

South Africa’s transformation policies are aimed at rectifying the injustices and inequalities caused by the now-defunct apartheid laws.

But the DA has opposed several transformation policies, such as the Employment Equity Amendment Act, Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE), and the recently announced Transformation Fund by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. 

The party this week challenged the amended Employment Equity Act in court, claiming some of the changes were unconstitutional and violated the principle of equality before the law.

It further argued that while the constitution permits affirmative-action measures to realise the constitutional promise of substantive equality, it must be approached with caution and not go too far.

“Affirmative-action measures must be approached with caution because they can invade the dignity of those who are not preferred by them.

“Whether an affirmative-action measure is constitutionally permissible depends on the context, and so, rigid or one-size-fits-all approaches are generally unconstitutional.”

DA: A party of fairness and non-racialism?

Tshepo Matseba said the DA continues to position itself as a party of fairness and non-racialism, while “its consistent resistance to legislation aimed at correcting the injustices of apartheid paints a different picture”.

“It risks cementing the DA’s reputation as an anti-transformation organisation, particularly in the eyes of black South Africans,” warned Matseba. 

He said their opposition was not merely policy positions but shaped public perception.

“Increasingly, that perception is that the DA stands to protect the privileges of the white minority, rather than champion meaningful change.

“A quote by Lyndon B. Johnson cites that you do not take a person who for years has been hobbled by chains, liberate him, bring him to the starting line of a race, and then say, you are free to compete with all the others, and still justly believe you have been completely fair.” 

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Ignoring the effects of Apartheid

Matseba said the party’s push for a merit-based system ignores the long-term structural effects of apartheid.

He added that merit cannot be fairly measured when access to opportunity has been so historically unequal.

He added that the DA’s opposition to transformation efforts places it in a reputational bind. 

“While it insists that policies like B-BBEE are race-based discrimination, these framing neglects the real impact of apartheid, which continues to shape who owns land, who accesses education, and who benefits from the economy.

“Its stance may play well with its traditional base, but it risks alienating the country’s black majority, particularly younger voters who see transformation as non-negotiable.

“In the long run, the party’s position on transformation could limit its ability to grow its support base among black voters.”

The DA has not responded to the request for comment on this. Any updates will be included, once received.

DA: Need to rapidly grow the economy

DA national spokesperson Willie Aucamp said the party’s focus “has always been on championing solutions to issues that matter to all South Africans”.

“That also means opposing proposals that are not in the interests of all South Africans.

“Our country is in an unemployment crisis, and has suffered from job shortages for years. The only solution to redress is to rapidly grow our economy and deliver quality jobs as a matter of national importance.”

Aucamp said B-BBEE had, since its inception in, 2003 failed to bring the economic growth SA needed.

“It [B-BEE] has not lessened the growing inequality gap faced by previously discriminated communities, has benefited only the elite and politically connected, and is not in the interests of South Africans.

“Delivering jobs and narrowing our inequality gap, through an inclusive and growing economy, will be the defining feature of the DA’s contribution to the Government of National Unity.

“That is the DA’s mission: putting the South African people first.”

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Additional reporting by Vhahangwele Nemakonde