GARETH van Onselen hits many nails on the head in "The EFF has the hallmarks of innovation and authenticity" (BDlive, February 25), but he is wrong in uniquely attributing "authenticity" to the Economic Freedom Fighters.
The Democratic Alliance (DA), Agang SA and the African National Congress (ANC) are authentic all right. The arrayed seats and orchestrated programme at the DA’s manifesto launch were an absolutely authentic manifestation of the mind of its leader and most of its members and supporters: rational, goal-orientated, organised and even principled most of the time.
So there we have it: mad and dangerous ideas presented with all the verve of a circus master versus first-world virtues presented with the sobriety of the Salvation Army.
In the meantime, the ANC plays both fields with considerable skill. We can be thankful for that.
South Africa is miles from the political and emotional maturity required by DA-style politics, which is why the salvationist streak in the party is premature and misplaced. The DA is the party for the long haul and that is why the ANC is important.
The main obstacle to a mad dive, led by Julius Malema, into a failed African state is the corrupt, shrewd, ruthless, ethno-nationalist — but rational and circumspect — politics of the ANC. The longer the DA and the ANC’s own disgruntled supporters can push the unwilling giant towards slow reform, the longer we can keep democracy alive, the longer the painfully slow improvement of the economic underclass continues and the longer South Africa has to assume the virtues of a successful democracy.
But it is precarious. The stabilising axis of big business and government could fail, with the ANC abandoning all attempts at reform to hijack the EFF’s worst attributes. Slow increases in prosperity may not drive responsibility but fuel even crazier ideas.
The DA may find itself ruthlessly shunted out of the way by a tyranny or descent into chaos. But it has no option. It must remain proudly sober, rational, principled, inclusive and innovative, whatever end fate holds in store for South Africa and the party.
Mike Berger
Via e-mail
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