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DA to face a divided ruling party in 2019

Once Nelson Mandela was a uniting force and a trump card for ANC at elections but that is changing, says writer . PHOTO: Esa Alexander
Once Nelson Mandela was a uniting force and a trump card for ANC at elections but that is changing, says writer . PHOTO: Esa Alexander

Elections are by their nature meant to give political parties and leaders a reflection of how the population views their time in government or opposition.

The regularity of elections as we have in South Africa is also meant to change the character or behaviour of the parties and political players towards the building of a prosperous South Africa for all her people.

With every passing election, political parties are thus forced to change their behaviour. In August this year, voters expressed their concerns through the ballot.

However, some political leaders felt betrayed instead of learning to change their leadership style.

The 2016 election dust has settled and the outcome of the poll has been accepted as a true reflection of the will of the people.

There are two questions that I am increasingly being asked:

1) has the outcome of the local government election changed the behaviour of political parties and leaders?;

2) What kind of an ANC are we likely to come across in 2019, especially in Gauteng?

There's no doubt in my mind that the elections changed the behaviour of every DA leader and activist in a big way, especially in Gauteng. We are no longer in opposition. We govern a number of municipalities, including Johannesburg and Tshwane metros.

We thus have an opportunity to showcase how a DA government can deliver on its election manifesto and follow in the footsteps of the well-run Midvaal municipality. I am not for a second saying that the change process in a DA leader/activist is complete, but it is happening at a faster pace as demanded by the changing political landscape.

There's also no doubt that the outcome has changed the character of the ANC both in government and opposition. Obviously when one talks about the ANC, the question that people ask is, which one?

The behaviour of ANC leaders since August 3rd has been varying to a point that now when you talk of the ANC you need to point out whether you are talking of the Zuma (Gupta) ANC that includes people like Collen Maine, Kebby Maphatsoe, Mosebenzi Zwane, etc, or the other ANC of Jackson Mthembu, Pravin Gordhan, Gwede Mantashe, etc.

Such is the division in the ANC that it can be seen by most people. Their post-election behaviour also runs through the same divided lines, with the latter group seeming to have heard the message that was delivered by the voters.

The Gupta grouping has been deaf to the message delivered by voters and just wants to continue to loot state coffers to the benefit of their master, the Guptas. This group will continue to defend Zuma and the Guptas with all they have.

The Gauteng ANC can be said to belong to the Gordhan and Mthembu grouping and has heard the voters' message loud and clear. The election outcome is forcing them to change their behaviour.

Premier David Makhura has been talking of selling off government properties that the province no longer needs and opening tender meetings to the public.

Had the ANC retained Johannesburg, Tshwane and Mogale City, I doubt Makhura would have announced the opening of tender meetings to the public.

This is a positive sign of election results changing behaviour for the better. The Gauteng ANC has been trying to win public support by distancing itself from the Zuma grouping and portraying a united front.

What is clear is that we are going to face a divided ANC in 2019. The ANC we will come up against in Gauteng will be vastly different to the one that the residents of the Free State or Mpumalanga will face.

The Gauteng ANC will do all they can to continue to appeal to public sentiment by defining themselves outside the Zuma ANC.

This means that the DA cannot rest and start believing that the endorsement we received this year will necessarily translate into another endorsement in 2019.

Whatever happens in 2019, the victors will not be the ANC or DA, it will be the people of Gauteng.

Before I am accused of focusing on the ANC's troubles, it is important to recall what the Chinese philosopher and military strategist Sun Tzu said: "If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

"If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.

"If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle."lGana is DA Member of Parliament

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