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The DA's new Leader of the Opposition, Lindiwe Mazibuko
Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko responded to the party's leadership polemics on Monday by saying she had become a role model for young girls of all races.
“The demographic of young people I get stopped by in the street - most are teenage and pre-teen girls of all races who ask me which subjects they should take in high school to become an MP, and who say they think it is so exciting that I'm a Member of Parliament and that my hair looks great,” she told the Cape Town Press Club.
Mazibuko said she had not played “the race card” in her acrimonious campaign for the parliamentary leadership, but believed it had been useful that she was adding to diversity at the top structure of the DA.
“Young people, in particular, are interested in the future of this party and identify with and admire members of its leadership in a way that they would not ordinarily have five or 10 years ago.”
She said black voters were increasingly finding “ideological resonance” with the DA and she believed that within the next two elections the party would see a dramatic change in its support base.
“Adding to our diversity is a challenge. The way we engage with race in the DA is a something we have to grapple with all the time.
“I am quite confident that it is a challenge with which we are dealing with, with an enormous amount of speed.”
Mazibuko declined to comment directly on the race row surrounding her election that saw MP Masizole Mnqasela warn that it was mere window-dressing that would not fool black voters.
Party leader Helen Zille termed his remarks reminiscent of the architect of apartheid, Hendrik Verwoerd, and he now faces disciplinary charges for bringing the party into disrepute.
The DA captured 16.7 percent of the vote in national elections in 2009. In local government elections in 2011, it won 24 percent of votes countrywide.
Some analysts said the party had cracked the so-called “white ceiling”, but others pointed out that it had increased its vote share mainly by taking support from smaller parties rather than the ANC.
Mazibuko easily defeated Athol Trollip in the parliamentary leadership election in October to become the first black person to hold the post. - Sapa
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Ali, wrote
Just because @jess, @democrat & @dee bee you cannot do your praise-singing of Mazibuko without dissing the ANC! I marvel at your naivity and forgetting this is politics, Mazibuko has to be cnvincing for “the moment”and be “it girl” for DA, great but for how long will she wear the mask, do you really know who she is, do you know her emotions, have you seen her angry? There is one thing about African people, regardless of standard of education, good English accent & all, one they are angry, reaction and thought comes in mother toung..the “trained” accent goes away, once she says “uyabheda wena manje!” you must know its game up! You forget that ANC is 100 years old this year, the only one in the whole of Africa to attain such a milestone
Psy, wrote
Jess, wrote
Peter, wrote
Did the journo who wrote the headline read the story. At no stage does she claim to be an Idol. Pathetic sensationalism again.
Anonymous, wrote
champagne, wrote
Maybe Mazibuko has the X factor lol, she appeals to intelligent people no matter what colour.
Deebee, wrote
SHe really is such a refreshing, intelligent and articulate leader. Compare and contrast with the 'emerging leaders' in the ANC.
Anonymous, wrote
democrat, wrote
Good for Lindiwe Mazibuko. The DA is the only political party in SA to have grown since 1994 (and grown substantially, hugely, from about 300 000 signed up members to over 3 million. They are going to grow exponentially now, with the new generation realising that the ANC is a dinosaur fossil locked into its fading past, and that the DA is wide open to all South Africans, knows its future lies in total diversity and non-racism, and will be attracting thousands of youth around the country for its progressive, caring, ethical policies. Someone below mentioned the dropping of certain blacks by the DA, namely 'Peter Marais, Gerald Morkel etc'. Yes well. They were old guard, from the days of the Tricameral Parliament, half-Nat, only seeking for a convenient political home. And we all knew about the corruption which Marais got involved in. We salute the new generation!
VAN RENS, wrote
just relax girl ....this is a whites party that will never change ..just make sure that you see the gym ....otherwise you wont be long there heart attacks will be in love wityh you this is politics
jen, wrote
Mazibuko, I LIKE YOU, you are smart, you are brave and you are a Lady in every sense, I trust you with the future of my country.Better you than me. I wish for more like you. p.s. nice hair .
Precious, wrote
You go girl. Girl power. Right on!!!! Between you and Helen we will march to victory. You are precious.
Eish, wrote
Ms Mazibuko, just have a look at past prominent black members of the DA...Peter Marais, Gerald Morkel,etc...The came, they got votes and the got tossed aside. Despite all the 'niceties and friendliness Ms Mazibuko, they already have your exit plan ready. Watch after the elections next year....someone will be leaking stuff to the press...either how you treat your staff, or your spending or whatever...but something will come out...it always does...enjoy the ride while it lasts
DA, wrote
if the DA's demographics were to change too much, it would be detrimental to the party actually, many whites would leave it to form another white party rather than one 'overcrowded' with non-whites,lol.
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