Parties must be more than anti-ANC - De Lille
2003-10-14. The country lacked a strong opposition because most of the parties were formed for the wrong reason.
This was the view expressed last
night by Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille. She said most
parties were principally created to be anti-ANC and were lacking in
principles or direction.
The outspoken leader of South Africa's newest opposition party was speaking to women who attended a Women's Room function in Rosebank, Johannesburg. The theme of the gathering was "The Role of Women in Safeguarding Democracy in South Africa".
The Women's Room is a bi-monthly function organised by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and tackles a range of issues affecting South African women.
De Lille said opposition parties would not be able to challenge the ANC effectively unless they were able to appeal to South Africans across the traditional divides.
"Opposition in this country is divided along racial and sectoral lines. They rejoice when the government is doing wrong," she said.
"They must change and begin to say 'this is our country, we are passionate about it and we are not going to allow anyone to mess it up'."
De Lille appealed to women to stop believing they were not born leaders, and had to support men.
There is no set of principles and rules for men or women only, but there is only one set of principles and rules that apply equally to both.
"As leaders you must see how you can exploit the rules to the benefit of women, or if the rules are not women-friendly, you must unite to change them.
"In this respect, I don't believe in having a separate youth or women wing in the Independent Democrats, because I believe that women and youth problems should be discussed at a party level and not as a separate wing."
She said the youth were not interested in voting because their parents still talked about the separation of races.
"Allow the new generation to enjoy the fruits of democracy, and then they will become protective of their country and be interested in voting."
De Lille said the high level of corruption was worrying. Having a black government in charge was not the reason for her raising the issue, she said. Rather, she did not want to see the country suffer.
"I raise the issue of corruption because I want to help the government. I know President Thabo Mbeki spoke of black and white worlds, but now it is no longer that. It is now the world of rich and poor."
The outspoken leader of South Africa's newest opposition party was speaking to women who attended a Women's Room function in Rosebank, Johannesburg. The theme of the gathering was "The Role of Women in Safeguarding Democracy in South Africa".
The Women's Room is a bi-monthly function organised by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and tackles a range of issues affecting South African women.
De Lille said opposition parties would not be able to challenge the ANC effectively unless they were able to appeal to South Africans across the traditional divides.
"Opposition in this country is divided along racial and sectoral lines. They rejoice when the government is doing wrong," she said.
"They must change and begin to say 'this is our country, we are passionate about it and we are not going to allow anyone to mess it up'."
De Lille appealed to women to stop believing they were not born leaders, and had to support men.
There is no set of principles and rules for men or women only, but there is only one set of principles and rules that apply equally to both.
"As leaders you must see how you can exploit the rules to the benefit of women, or if the rules are not women-friendly, you must unite to change them.
"In this respect, I don't believe in having a separate youth or women wing in the Independent Democrats, because I believe that women and youth problems should be discussed at a party level and not as a separate wing."
She said the youth were not interested in voting because their parents still talked about the separation of races.
"Allow the new generation to enjoy the fruits of democracy, and then they will become protective of their country and be interested in voting."
De Lille said the high level of corruption was worrying. Having a black government in charge was not the reason for her raising the issue, she said. Rather, she did not want to see the country suffer.
"I raise the issue of corruption because I want to help the government. I know President Thabo Mbeki spoke of black and white worlds, but now it is no longer that. It is now the world of rich and poor."
Published in the Star
By Ndivhuwo Khangale
