Editor
An unprecedented move in the history of the predominantly South African ‘white liberal democrats’ happened on May 10, 2015 when the Democratic Alliance (DA) overwhelmingly elected its first ever black leader in young Mmusi Maimane.
But, the question begged to be asked: Who is really this young, energetic, incisive and well-spoken politician? Maimane was born in Dobsonville, Soweto in 1980.The 34-year-old was elected DA national spokesman in 2011, the same year he stood as the party’s Joburg mayoral candidate.
He then took up a seat as the DA leader in the Joburg City Council, where he mainly learnt his ropes as a politician. Maimane is being dubbed as very close to former DA leader and current Western Cape Premier Hellen Zille. Recently Maimane praised Zille, saying she had led the party with ‘selflessness and devotion.’
In last year’s general elections, Maimane ran as the DA’s Gauteng premier candidate but when the ANC took control of Gauteng province, Mmusi opted to take up a seat in the National Assembly where he replaced then DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko who stepped down to study at Harvard University.
Hence, Maimane was elected leader of the opposition in parliament.It is alleged that he is now very close to EFF leader, Julius Malema and they are allegedly both very fond of visiting pubs to unwind .Maimane is married with two children.
He speaks at least seven languages fluently. He also has his own church as he holds Masters Degrees in Theology and Public Administration.It is however, now history that the young Maimane has convincingly beaten a seasoned politician in Wilmont James to claim the DA’s leadership position, though he only entered formal politics four years ago.
But, he must be warned because now the honeymoon is over and he will be expected to surpass any DA leader before him in terms of increasing the party membership.
Even a drop of just two people in next year’s municipal elections would be tantamount to failure.
Philani Hadebe is a community-based Qualitative Researcher and a freelance journalist who majored in Political Science.
