Will a black politician advance white interests?

By Madibeng Kgwete: posted on 20 August 2008

In Polokwane, where I live, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has distributed what appear to be early election posters declaring "war on drugs", "war on crime", etc on major streets.

Even in my small home town of Jane Furse, the DA's election campaign is already in full swing. Posters are visible throughout the major streets.

The DA has not yet officially revealed their theme for the 2009 general elections, but - based on the posters already hung up on lamp posts around cities and towns - one gets a feeling that the opposition party will set its theme around the need to protect South Africa's constitutional democracy by defending the independence of the judiciary.

With complicated court cases involving its president, Jacob Zuma, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) may focus mainly on broader access to economic opportunities, better access to education and more social relief for the poor.

The other smaller parties will find it difficult to make their policies known to the electorate due to various reasons, such as lack of financial resources, poor organisational planning and internal power struggles. Such parties include the Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC) and the Azanian People's Organisation (AZAPO).

As in previous democratic elections, to most of the voters, the elections next year will be an either/or affair; either the ruling ANC or the opposition DA. The minority will vote for the smaller opposition parties, but that is not necessarily a waste.

Because we still vote along racial lines, it is already generally accepted that the ANC will emerge victorious. Since democracy means majority rule, and since, in our country, we still associate along racial lines, the majority will always triumph over the minorities regardless of policy positions or the credibility of those in political leadership.

In its current makeup, the DA and its members and supporters will have to live with majority rule for decades to come. I do not see why blacks would entrust a white person (regardless of policies) with the power to rule South Africa. The memories of racism under apartheid are still fresh in their minds.

The DA will only succeed in wooing black voters if it can groom a black leader who is ready to advance white interests as is the case in the United States, where Barack Obama is being supported by whites, mainly because of his seemingly pro-white choices, such as his support for Israel.

The question now is: who amongst South Africa's emerging black politicians will be willing to oppose Black Economic Empowerment, Affirmative Action and African solidarity? Who is willing to be seen as a "sell out"?