Port Elizabeth - Heated disagreement erupted in Friday’s DA federal council meeting as outgoing chairman Wilmot James strongly opposed the phrasing of the party’s family values charter.
Concerns revolve particularly around describing the family as the bedrock of society and saying that strong individuals come from strong families and successful countries are built by strong families. This is seen in many circles as at odds with liberal values of individual rights and freedoms.
James, who is contesting for the post of federal leader, brought amendments to recognise individuals and to delete the association of strong families, strong individuals and successful nations in the interest of liberal democratic values of individual freedom and rights.
But DA chief whip John Steenhuisen, speaking against amendments, said: “This (the values charter) is Helen Zille’s legacy…”
James found support from other speakers but the dominant view was for family values. Said Western Cape DA leader and Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille: “I don’t understand the fuss about family. It includes every structure you could ever think of: extended family, families whether it’s a gay couple or just a single mother.”
The potential for controversy turned into a damp squib. James’s amendments were defeated by those still sitting in the depleted rows of seats at congress. And the values charter was adopted as is.
Independent Media has seen the final charter, approved by the federal council, outlining the DA’s “historic mission” to establish “a fair society which will enable the South African people to unleash their talents and ingenuity so that they can realise their full potential”.
It talks of the DA standing by “hard-working and freedom-loving people” in South Africa. Apartheid is mentioned as an evil system that was defeated.
The charter talks of “measures to level the playing field of opportunities, as quickly as possible, for people who today are still at a disadvantage because of the injustices of the past”.
The leadership race to congress between DA parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane and James – and the tussle for the chairman post – was punishing, certainly “sharp”, as Zille predicted last month when she announced she was not up for re-election.
On Saturday, the blue machinery pulled off a slick and carefully time-managed show, following Friday night’s caucusing and campaigning – even as Maimane threw a braai for delegates.
Both James and Maimane’s campaigning teams were confident. So were the teams of Eastern Cape DA leader Athol Trollip and Makashule Gana, the outgoing deputy chairman.
This did not mean there was no last-minute campaigning, testing support and polling as delegates moved through various reso-lutions. Just how much is at stake is demonstrated by the fact that by Friday, James had spent R104 354.04 from his own savings, saying he was putting in another R50 000 to avoid having to rely on donations.
His challenge to Maimane and Trollip to declare their spend, and any donations, was dismissed as a publicity stunt.
There was never any doubt this weekend’s congress was about the municipal elections, and elections in general, as the DA measures its success by voting support.
Under Zille the DA has doubled its polling support, garnering just over four million votes in last year’s elections.
Maimane’s team tout him as the person who will capture votes in “new markets”, DA-speak for black voters. The narrative of a young black leader raised in Soweto by working class parents makes an attractive illustration of the DA’s open opportunity society motto.
But while there is little doubt about Maimane’s populist appeal, charm and oratory skills, questions are being asked about his ability to stick it out in the political trenches. He only joined the DA six years ago, reportedly recruited by Zille, and skyrocketed into the top ranks.
With 1 013 of the 1 425 congress delegates being public representatives from councils, provincial legislatures and Parliament, one important consideration in casting their ballots today must be who would ensure sufficient votes for them to remain in office.
Not a charmer, James has a more steady route: emphasising he would lead the DA as an alternative to the ANC on the back of the DA’s Jobs and 8 percent Growth Plan, rather than behaving like an “alternate ANC”. Internal democracy and strict adherence to constitutional values are key.
James told Independent Media: “I have done what I can”.
Zille used her final address as federal leader to set the direction of the largest opposition party – with eyes firmly set on the 2016 local government and 2019 elections.
“We must remain unified and unwavering in our purpose to re-ignite our people’s belief that the South Africa we envisioned 21 years ago is indeed possible,” she told 1 425 congress delegates in Nelson Mandela Bay, the metro the DA says it will govern from next year.
And if the DA stuck to its plan and strategy, it would form the “backbone of national government in the foreseeable future”, Zille said: “We must tell everyone – loud and clear – the DA is a party for all South Africans regardless of the colour of their skin”.
Much of the plan is linked to the values charter – under the motto freedom, fairness and opportunity – set to become part of the party constitution at the congress.
Zille, who was introduced as the Western Cape premier, yesterday delivered her last speech as DA leader after 90 minutes of video and in-person tributes to her as activist, politician and mother.
Pledging support to the new leadership, including the DA’s first black leader, to be announced on Sunday, Zille went on to set out the party’s future with the values charter under the motto Freedom, fairness and opportunity.
The values charter, however, has led to unexpected controversy. It is being described in some circles as “seriously conservative” and also as Zille’s push to ensure a lasting legacy in the party she led foreight years.
Political Bureau