7+1=9

South Africa has nine provinces. Every provincial government is led by a premier. Before the election 5 provincial governments were led by men and 4 by women. Today ANC appointed 8 of those premiers. One can read more on News24. 7 men and 1 woman. South Africa is rescued by the DA. In the Western Cape the Premier is Helen Zille.

In this respect I am not impressed by the ANC. From 3-5 to 1-7 is not helpful.

Short-lived unity

It feels a bit sad. It was promising, that DA and AgangSA were going to cooperate. I strongly believe that South Africa needs a strong opposition. Anyhow: today we got the news that Mamphela Ramphele will go back to her own party and not be the presidential candidate of the DA. Helen Zille even says that Ramphele

... has proven she can’t be trusted ...

At least according to City Press.

Now it seems, at least in my view, that the biggest threat to the ANC will be Julius Malema and the EFF. That is not good news.

Ramphele for president

Breaking news this day. DA's Helen Zille announces that Dr Mamphela Ramphele stands as the presidential candidate for the DA. It is still too early to say what will happen with Agang SA. According to radio news (SAFM) today not all senior members of Agang are happy.

It is not the first time smaller parties join the DA. It happened to the Independent Democrats. Their leader, Patricia de Lille, is now the DA Mayor of Cape Town.

Whereas the ANC has seen many splinter groups (like PAC, UDM, Cope, EFF) it seems as if DA is working in another direction, drawing smaller groups into their sphere. Zille, Ramphele and de Lille are women. Zuma, Lekota and Malema are men – just to mention a few).

To be honest one has to mention that the National Party merged with the ANC after some years. And the IFP leader, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, became a minister in the ANC lead government. He is now talking to Malema. And Cope is talking with ACDP. It is not easy to understand. But it is interesting!

Read more one the websites of:

DA

Agang

Mail and Guardian