Phalatse is SA’s best hope for a government that gets things done

On Sunday, about 2 000 delegates will decide who is to lead the DA in next year’s elections, where the ANC is expected to dip below 50%.

Media predict easy victory for incumbent John Steenhuisen over former Joburg mayor Dr Mpho Phalatse. These predictions are based on views of provincial leaders and MPs. Phalatse’s showing may surprise many.

In DA internal elections, “no structure or formation of the party may endorse any candidate”. This means no branch, constituency, region or province may openly support any candidate. For example, I am Sandton constituency chair, but I may not say my branch or constituency will endorse a candidate.

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Unlike in some parties, in the DA all delegates are equal. Therefore, it is of limited predictive value when media ask provincial leaders about their choices, which may not reflect delegates’ views.

I have seen internal polling which suggests an outcome different from that forecast in headlines. Yet polls and media predictions are not reliable.

I will vote for Phalatse because of views formed while working with her for seven years. She started her political career in our constituency, campaigning for the DA in the build-up to the 2016 municipal elections in Joburg. For this, she put aside her medical doctor career.

Campaigning for the DA in Alexandra is not easy. Phalatse knew that before signing up. Indeed, the harsh conditions in Alex had prompted her to become involved. After those elections, Phalatse served for three years as member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for health and social development.

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For the 2021 municipal elections, after an internal DA selection process, she was our Joburg mayoral candidate. The 11 months she served as mayor of Africa’s most important city were even more tumultuous than her term as MMC.

Joburg City Council can be a rough, tough place. We have endured violence, intimidation, raucous verbal abuse, treachery and betrayal from friend and foe. Some colleagues have been shattered by council experiences.

Throughout all this, Phalatse has maintained dignified composure, eloquently and firmly standing up for us in the face of adversity while leading a nine-party coalition. Grace under fire.

For faceless “DA insiders” to describe her in the Sunday press as a “political novice” is inaccurate. The party does not permit negative campaigning during internal elections. Nor does it allow attacks on the party or members of the party.

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However, “verified and factual information” is allowed. Here goes. Between the 2016 and 2021 local government elections, the DA lost 1.4 million voters and 285 councillors. In order to do better in next year’s national elections, the DA needs to change.

Given South Africa’s demographics, the DA will not achieve more than 25% of the vote when led by a white man. Harsh truth.

While previous black leaders have – unfairly – been described as experiments, Phalatse is no such thing. She is tried and tested in the cauldron of bigcity politics. She has the qualities to lead the party and the nation, if colleagues choose wisely. If not, the DA won’t reach its potential.

Phalatse is SA’s best hope for a government that gets things done.

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