Cape Town - The DA’s Deputy Federal Chairperson, Makashule Gana, who is vying for the job as the party’s federal chairperson, has voiced his concerns about the “slate” culture which has emerged in the DA’s upcoming leadership race.
Gana, who is also a member of Parliament, took to Facebook, quashing speculation about who he is backing as a replacement for outgoing DA leader Helen Zille.
In a letter to delegates who will attend the party’s elective congress next weekend, Gana refused to endorse either Mmusi Maimane or Wilmot James in the race for the leadership.
He said while a lot has been made of his silence on the debate between whether Maimane or James should be the next DA leaders, he would not be endorsing either of the two.
“As a potential leader of our party, each of them will have to work with the leadership team that is elected with them and showing favourites could potentially harm future working relationships.”
Gana said while he has immense respect for James and Maimane, he was not running on either of their so-called “slates” but is instead standing for federal chairperson on his own merits, as an ordinary DA member.
“I believe I have a lot to contribute to this party and to the position of federal chairperson. I have never, and will never, be a part of a slate in standing for election to a position in this party. My candidacy rests on being an independent, activist Federal Chairperson,” he added.
Outlining the trouble slates can be in future, Gana said the most important aspect of leadership is to have an independent view and to individually apply your mind to collective issues facing the party.
“To debate, argue and disagree with your colleagues is a healthy part of the functioning of any leadership team. A slate does not allow for that. The function of slates is to ensure that a single view becomes the dominant one.”
And he added that slates were unhealthy for any democratic executive, committee or structure; thus he could personally not support it. “To openly support either Mmusi or Wilmot will give the impression that I am running on a slate with one of them. I cannot in good conscience do so as it is against my principles,” he added.
Gana said the frontrunners in the race should instead convince delegates at the elective congress that they have what it takes to lead the party.
He added that instead of choosing between two candidates he has immense respect for, he will instead pledge his full support to the party’s new federal leader when elected.
“I will do everything in my power to ensure that they make a success of their leadership.”
Cape Argus