No party wants to find itself in the eye of a storm just before an internal leadership contest and an upcoming local government election. But this is exactly where the Democratic Alliance finds itself, as it faces a crucial test on several fronts.
With its elective congress just around the corner in April, the DA is grappling with internal divisions in what is already a challenging election year.
These tensions exploded into public view following Dion George’s dramatic exit from the party after a bitter power struggle with leader John Steenhuisen.
This week’s Friday Briefing examines whether the DA can weather this storm while preserving its political soul.
Former DA leader Tony Leon offers a nuanced perspective on the party’s predicament. You can read his full contribution here.
Independent political analyst Ebrahim Fakir takes a deeper structural view, arguing that the recent spat reveals more troubling foundational issues within the party. Read his full analysis here.
We also have input from DA leader John Steenhuisen, who reflects on what the party has brought to the GNU and to voters. His full submission is here.
Our final contribution steps away from party politics entirely. Following Tuesday’s shooting outside the Booysens Magistrate’s Court, where two people were killed, in-depth writer Muhammad Hussain spoke to Don Mahon, chair of the Johannesburg Society of Advocates, about what needs to be done to address attacks on lawyers. You can read the full Q&A here.
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