Some of South Africa’s new political parties formed during the recent defection period have turned into family affairs.
African Independent Movement (AIM) leader Theresa Millin – who left the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) barely a month after being shifted from the KwaZulu-Natal legislature to the National Assembly – lists three members of her family on her list of replacements as Member of Parliament (MP).
In terms of the proportional system, which applies to the National Assembly, political parties have reserve lists of candidates to replace their members who resign, die or are moved to other legislatures.
In the government gazette of April 17, Millin’s party – called the Independent African Movement (IAM) in the gazette – lists her son Mark Millin as the number one replacement, followed by her other son Matthew Millin.
Her husband Peter Millin is registered as number six on her list.
When asked for comment Millin, said her party was starting off “in a small way”. She said: “I suppose you could accuse me of nepotism but we are going to see what kind of response we get.”
She said her son Mark was an economics lecturer at the University of Natal and was putting together a website for the new party.
Millin crossed the floor in March during the 15-day defection period for national and provincial elected politicians – a period in which they can switch parties and not lose their seats.
She said her new party would have a foundation in Christianity but she was not certain at this stage whether she would contest the next election. “We will have to see.”
Asked about the slight change in name of the party, she said when she had tried to register the African Independent Movement with the Independent Electoral Commission she had found that there was already such a movement registered.
The name had been switched to Independent African Movement, which she said with a chuckle changed it from “AIM” to “I am” (or “IAM”).
The replacement candidate has only a year in which to replace the incumbent MP as the next election is scheduled for mid-2004.
Meanwhile Peace and Justice Congress leader Farouk Cassim, also a former Inkatha Freedom Party member, also has one of his offspring at the top of his reserve list. His daughter Shehnaz Cassim tops his new party’s replacement list.
Former Lebowa chief minister and former United Democratic Movement MP Nelson Ramodike, who formed the new Alliance for Democracy and Prosperity, has placed Matome Ramodike – understood to be his offspring – third on his list of candidates for his possible replacement.
Former Pan Africanist Congress MP Patricia de Lille has not looked to her family to possible replacements for herself as the new Independent Democrats leader and sole member of the National Assembly. Top of her list is businessman Robert Alan Stammers, who has been assisting her in the formation of her new party. – I-Net Bridge