The DA’s rising blue tideTHERE is precious little similarity between the liberal-leaning Democratic Alliance (DA), led by the smooth and managerial Mmusi Maimane, and its rival as standard-bearer of South Africa’s opposition, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a fiery mob of radical leftists with the bombastic Julius Malema at its helm. At a recent rally celebrating “Heritage Day” in South Africa, Mr Maimane quoted Nelson Mandela and invoked non-racism; the EFF marked the day by calling for the Afrikaans section of South Africa’s multi-tongued national anthem to be axed.
But these near-opposites, united only in hostility to the ruling party, could end up as coalition partners in some of South Africa’s biggest cities if the African National Congress (ANC) continues its political slide. Such are the calculations that DA strategists are making as the party seeks to exploit the ANC’s vulnerability in key urban areas ahead of next year’s local elections. If they can push the ANC below 50%, the opposition parties could team up to take control of municipal governments. Even if coalition turns out to be as...Continue reading
Source: Middle East and Africa http://ift.tt/1KVP0rl
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