Durban – It is not going to be smooth sailing for the Democratic Alliance (DA), and the party will need strong leadership to take it forward.
That is the view of political analysts who say the DA is likely to face a slippery slope as it navigates political ground in the next few months.
This came after the party’s leader, John Steenhuisen, announced on Wednesday that he was not going to contest in the upcoming leadership race.
In his exit speech, Steenhuisen said he had accomplished his mission and would now focus his energy on his role as Agriculture Minister. He said he was still going to be at the helm until April.
READ | ‘It’s mission accomplished’, says Steenhuisen as he exits DA leadership race
The party is preparing for its Federal Congress, which is scheduled to take place in April.
Professor Alex Van den Heever of the Wits School of Governance said the contestation of leadership is going to be important.
“It’s going to be important for the DA to able to position the leadership choices to demonstrate it is representative of South Africa," Van den Heever said, adding:
"There is going to be lots of contestation going forward. Nothing is going to be smooth. They are going to need tough people at the top to take the party forward.”
Professor Susan Booysen said Steenhuisen’s repertoire could serve as a warning for what the party should avoid when it elects its next leader.
"That race class barrier still has to be penetrated. They must prove that Black leadership has potential to rise to the top. This will be a very difficult task for them,” she said.
Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast said Steenhuisen’s decision painted a bad image of the DA.
“The party has been dealt a blow in a big way. The question everyone is grappling with is, was he pushed? Did he jump by himself? Or did he make the call in accordance with his will."
Breakfast said Steenhuisen did not leave a good legacy compared to previous leaders who have been at the helm.
Former DA MP Chair Dion George, who previously accused Steenhuisen of being captured by the ANC, lauded his decision as a step in the right direction.
“He was not going to be successful as the next leader of the DA,” George said.
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He said the party was facing a major leadership challenge due to it being part of the Government of National Unity.
“It could have worked out very well if we had leadership that could hold its ground. The DA started getting swallowed up. There was no movement on BEE and foreign policy. The party was not getting much done.”
DA leader in KwaZulu-Natal, Francois Rodgers, concurred with George and said Steenhuisen’s decision was a mature approach.
“The fact that John had set some goals…he’s achieved those goals, and what really impressed me is that he wants to focus on FMD. We thank John for his contribution as leader."