Tensions are escalating between the emerging political force Rise Mzansi and the DA in the Western Cape.
Axolile Notywala, Rise Mzansi’s premier candidate, has accused DA leader John Steenhuisen of levelling racist remarks against new opposition parties.
Also read: Sarb seizes over R60m in assets from Markus Jooste’s girlfriend
‘I want to address the issue of the DA and John Steenhuisen calling us ‘political mercenaries’ and suggesting that I am corrupt, suggesting that we are corrupt. I take serious offence to that,’ Notywala fumed.
Although some may dismiss it as political maneuvering, Notywala expressed personal offense and characterised the situation as ‘dog whistle politics.’
‘It is vile, unsophisticated and says a lot about the kind of leader he [Steenhuisen] is. It says a lot about what the DA thinks about you and me,’ he added.
‘The only thing John Steenhuisen knows about me is that I am young black man contesting as the Western Cape premier candidate for Rise Mzansi. I am the youngest of all the candidates I have seen announced. For him to suggest that I am contesting in this province to steal, is racist. And to that I take serious offence.’
He made these remarks while addressing a rally to introduce the initiative ‘Bridging the Western Cape Divide: A Plan for a Safe, Prosperous, Equal and United Province’ at the Thusong Centre in Khayelitsha on Tuesday.
According to News24, tensions between Rise Mzansi and the DA have intensified following the widespread distribution of an SMS by the DA criticising Rise Mzansi’s stance on land expropriation.
During the launch of the DA’s manifesto for the Western Cape, Steenhuisen labelled new opposition parties like Rise Mzansi as ‘political mercenaries’ and ‘popcorn parties’ aiming to plunder the province.
But Notywala said, ‘We have not come here. We are from here. And it is why we have committed ourselves to the work of serving the people of the Western Cape.’
In response to Notywala’s remarks, Steenhuisen said, ‘Instead of hurling racial insults, which is the last refuge of a party that has run out of ideas, [Rise Mzansi leader] Mr Songezo Zibi should focus on moving his party out of the margin of error.’
‘At the moment, he is behaving exactly like the ANC when they have nothing better to offer South Africans.’
Also read:
Three Cape Town SAPS officers appear in court for torture of barber
Picture: Misha Jordaan / Gallo Images