Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane turned against the party’s most influential constituency – whites — in his Heritage Day address near Soweto on Saturday.

Maimane‚ whose sharp tongue had always been reserved for the ANC‚ instructed white members of the party to start learning to speak African languages.

There are few white DA leaders who speak African languages comfortably. Among those who can are Western Cape Premier Helen Zille‚ Nelson Mandela Bay Metro mayor Athol Trollip and and Gauteng leader Mike Moriarty.

Maimane in his address at a disused mine at Langlaagte‚ where several illegal miners died underground recently‚ was almost tempted to make it compulsory for DA members to learn to speak other languages other than English and Afrikaans.

“Perhaps English is your first language or maybe Afrikaans is your first language‚ I just want to ask something‚ asseblief mense. We are not making it a law‚ I am asking nicely. If we are going to celebrate Heritage Day‚ please make it a point that you learn another language.

“Because it connects us as a people‚ it says we are human beings‚ learn another language.

“Get into other spaces you have never been before. Under this DA leadership we must break down the spatial legacy so that others can get the opportunities reserved for some.”

Perhaps with a view of wresting political power from the ANC in the 2019 elections‚ Maimane emphasised that it is through language that the DA can connect with the majority of South Africans.

“We must gain access to one another so that we can stand together. Maybe one day blacks‚ whites‚ Indians and coloureds we can speak seTswana or Zulu together‚ because that is the Heritage we must give to this generation‚” he said.

Maimane said the wealth of the mines has often come at a huge cost to working class South Africans.

“Nowhere is this more evident than the situation that recently unfolded right here at Langlaagte‚ where a number of illegal miners became trapped underground‚” he said