Durban - The Democratic Alliance’s Member of the Provincial Legislature in Gauteng Makashule Gana has become the latest black leader of the party to announce that he is leaving the party, although he has stated that he would not be lost to politics.
Gana, who has been a DA member for two decades, having joined the party while at the University of Limpopo in 2002, said that there was a widening trust deficit between citizens and political parties that had resulted in many eligible voters turning down the opportunity to vote out of despair and disappointment.
He said that he did not believe that any of the existing political parties could reorientate their politics and internal culture to regain public trust on a massive scale.
In a statement on Thursday morning, Gana said that in the next few weeks, he would be “joining others in exploring the possibility of building an inclusive political alternative that will contest political power in 2024”.
“I am excited and emboldened by the possibilities of what a new generation can bring to our country. It’s time for all of us who believe something new is required to rise collectively. We can do this.
“The South African people deserve a country where all are free and secure to pursue a life of happiness and well-being. This requires bold, decisive leadership that gives power to the people and enables them to work together in developing and implementing solutions that work for their communities,” Gana said.
He said he was resigning to join an emerging generation of leaders and activists committed to mobilising and organising to return power to South Africans.
“I leave the DA with a clear conscience, no regrets, and a cemented sense of purpose and calling to serve the country. I am grateful to my colleague, activists, members, staff, and public representatives, with whom I have shared two decades of hard yet fulfilling work. I wish them well in the future,” Gana said.
He said that he believed that the next generation of South African politics would be built on citizen political empowerment, localised organising, and participation to elevate local issues and to grow new, younger leaders to take communities and South Africa forward.
“This must include the ability to choose and hold to account public representatives and government officials who are both capable and focused on restoring power to the people,” Gana said.
He added that there was a generation of leaders raising their hands to shape a new political culture that does exactly that.
“A person that exemplifies this new generation of leaders is Songezo Zibi, who has articulated a vision in his latest book, Manifesto: A New Vision for South Africa. This generation is rising because the country is progressing from crisis to chaos, with our current political system and leadership accelerating rather than arresting it.
“This new generation of leaders has resolved to create some new: a strong, national collective grounded on constitutional and social justice values, clear priorities, leveraging the talents and capability of diverse South Africans, here and abroad,” Gana said.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE