A fellow political analyst recently asked me this intriguing question: “Do you think the DA would have brought back Apartheid had they won the general elections?” My reply was: “History is a dynamic reflection of lived possibilities and impossibilities. History always reminds us of the possible resurrection of past practises and dispositions. It awakens us from the temporary slumber of self-inflicted perceptual amnesia”.
I further reasoned that there are many black people who are sceptical and suspicious of the DA’s political motives. The DA is a lily-white party which benefited immensely from Apartheid and colonialism superstructure. It is disingenuous and untruthful to allege that the DA is not a predominantly white party. The support base of the DA is largely constituted by Afrikaans and English-speaking citizens.
Even the policies and ethos of the party are protective of white interests and privileges. It is impossible to dissociate the DA’s political philosophy from the objectives of apartheid. The party lacks any willingness or commitment to redress the injustices of Apartheid.
Last year, a research study found that about 55% of black young people do not trust the DA. The DA leader, Helen Zille tacitly admitted that there are black people who are suspicious of the party’s political intentions. Should we really blame black people for not trusting the DA? Black people have justified reasons to believe that the DA represents the aspirations of white people.
The DA is also extremely selective in its nit-picking criticism of corruption and crime. The party speaks harshly and loudly against acts of corruption that are committed by black people. But the party is curiously silent on corrupt and unscrupulous activities that are orchestrated by whites.
The DA was historically formed in 1959 and at that time it was known as the Progressive Party (PP).
There are several socio-historical factors that prevent the DA from shedding its apartheid political identity. Firstly, white people who benefited from Apartheid have found a comfortable home in the DA. This implies that the party will never be able to publicly acknowledge the sins of Apartheid. Secondly, the DA is mostly funded by the white business elite whose foremost interest is to maintain the economic status quo. The country’s major business fraternity is predominantly controlled by white entrepreneurs and conglomerates.
This explains why the white business sector is not supportive of black economic empowerment policies. Thirdly, black and white members of the DA do not possess a shared history and historical identity. Apartheid created a wealth of opportunities and possibilities for white folks. On the other hand, it brought untold sufferings, miseries and poverty into the lives of black people.
In this country, the colour of poverty, unemployment, underdevelopment and illiteracy is black. Undoubtedly, the colour of wealth, employment, prosperity and advancement is white. An average white person resides in a suburb or metropolitan area. Shockingly, an average black citizen lives in an impoverished village or sprawling township. These disheartening realities were caused and occasioned by the racist ideology of Apartheid fascism. The DA should desist from forcing or compelling citizens to forget about the brutalities and sins of Apartheid. The party should acknowledge that “the ghost of Apartheid” is still haunting our democratic dispensation. Zille should restructure the DA and make it a political home for black people. The party must adopt policies that seek to redress the imbalances of the past.
People should not be selective in their socio-political analysis and interpretation of history. The DA usually prefers to speak loudly about the nice part of history. But the DA does not seek to discuss or analyse the bad aspects of history. That smacks of selective description and self-serving interpretation of history. Selective interpretation of history breeds factual distortions and falsehoods.
The DA should publicly acknowledge the role it played in keeping apartheid alive. The party should also adopt policies that speak to the dreams, aspirations and history of black people. Empowerment of black people should become the guiding political philosophy of the DA. Elections are not just about choosing a preferred political party, but they are about asserting one’s identity, history and aspirations.
The democratic general elections represent a monumental battle between the past (Apartheid) and the present (democracy).
Elvis Masoga
Political analyst
