A Party At War With Itself

Political experts weigh in on Phumzile Van Damme’s shock resignation as MP and what it means for the Democratic Alliance

- Nasifa Sulaiman

BY MANY accounts she was a talented young politician with a bright future ahead of her. Within just five years of joining the Democratic Alliance she was elected to serve in parliament, tackling high-profile issues, including exposing corruption and political interference at the SABC.

Phumzile Van Damme was regarded by many political analysts as one of the party’s brightest stars, so her resignation as a member of parliament (MP) late last month was seen as a loss to the South African political landscape.

The 37-year-old, who previously served in the high-profile role of national spokesperson for the party, announced her resignation on Twitter.

“I leave on my own terms,” she wrote. “Nonetheless, in the climate of rumours and the need to create heroes and villains, my resignation as an MP isn’t because the DA is a so-called ‘racist party’, but because of a clique of individuals.”

Van Damme is the latest in a line of talented black politicians leaving the DA, which is why the race issue flared up again after her resignation.

In 2014 Lindiwe Mazibuko quit. Then DA leader Mmusi Maimane and Herman Mashaba left in 2019, followed by Lincoln Machaba.

Last year saw the resignation of Gauteng DA leader John Moodey who complained he no longer felt at home in the party. Then it was former Joburg mayoral candidate Funzela Ngobeni who defected to Mashaba’s People’s Dialogue saying he saw it as a better chance “to build a new political alternative in SA”. He was joined by the DA’s former city of Tshwane regional chairperson Abel Tau.