The Democratic Alliance is to grapple with the vexed issue of how to build the party’s black support and consolidate opposition to the ANC at its federal congress in Cape Town at the weekend.
The congress will not have to confront leadership conflicts, as key positions will be uncontested.
They include those of party leader, held by Helen Zille, and federal chairperson, held by MP Wilmot James.
Nine candidates will, however, contest the three positions of deputy federal chair, including exiting DA youth leader Khume Ramulifho, MP Sej Motau and Western Cape housing MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela.
Idasa political analyst Justin Sylvester said that although the party had expanded its support base in the Western Cape, much of this was because of the haemorrhaging of support from other opposition parties and the decline of the ANC in the province.
After winning Cape Town and the province, the party had established an alternative record of governance, but the “increase in support did not move far enough among poor black communities”, said Sylvester.
Service delivery in the party’s traditional constituencies appears to be good, but “whether this is the same experience in communities outside of the city is up for debate”.
The clash over the provision of toilets in Makhaza in Khayalitsha was widely seen as a key failure of the DA.
“The response seemed to be more defensive than productive,” said Sylvester. “The city allowed itself to get caught up in party political bickering with the ANC Youth League and ANC in the province while the issue played itself out in the media.
“In the end the community concerned was marginalised and rendered voiceless.
“Better leadership was needed that kept focus on the issue rather than defending against public attacks from the ANC.”
Similarly the DA’s response to xenophobic attacks in 2008 could be questioned, Sylvester said, adding: “The city seemed to be caught unawares and didn’t take a proactive role in addressing the issue until much later.”
The party appeared to have learned from this, judging by its actions during the most recent xenophobic violence.
“This time there seems to be a concerted effort by the city and provincial governments to deal proactively with the situation and take a leadership role in dealing with the threats,” Sylvester said.
Recent judgment calls by the provincial government had also elicited criticism, in particular the decision to place the failing Overberg municipality under administration. A furious ANC accused the DA of allowing the municipality to fail before stepping in, in a bid to extend its power.
The party has also been accused of applying different standards to its own officials and those of the ANC — one frequently cited case being its failure to suspend MP Masizole Mnqasela, who faces a rape charge.
Senior DA members said the congress would discuss how to consolidate opposition politics, among them a possible merger with the Independent Democrats.
Talks between the parties are under way, including on the issues of a joint membership system and a single parliamentary caucus.
To expand its voter base, the party plans more social activities and political programmes based in black townships.
The party is also looking at establishing an evaluation mechanism by creating an internal government support unit to provide technical support for DA officials.