Professor Themba Sono today welcomed DA Senior Members and public Representatives into the ranks of the Independent Democrats
2004-04-06. Patricia de Lille and the Independent Democrats are pleased to announce that a growing number of DA members are leaving the DA and joining the Independent Democrats. At a press conference at the Johannesburg legislature this morning, Prof Themba Sono, Deputy Leader of the Independent Democrats welcomed senior registered members of the DA.
We are pleased to welcome the following into our ranks:
1.Vincent Gore, former Member of Parliament and constituency head of Houghton-Alexandra Constituency (1999-2004).
2.Councilor Tony Panall, an activist for the DA/DP for 12 years, immediate past chairperson for Krugersdorp branch, Chairperson of the DA Mogale City caucus
3.Morris Siweya, Chairperson of Alexandra Branch of DA, 083 697 2188
4.Hennie Bester, secretary of the Krugersdorp branch of the DA, member of Electoral College
5.Albert ali Lukhele, Chairperson of the Ward 16 Swanniville Branch of the DA
6.Huge Mkhize, Chairperson of the 32 Swanniville Branch of the DA
7. Abraham Thatelo, Chairperson of Orient Branch of the DA
These individuals represent the growing discontentment that supporters of the DA are experiencing with the leadership of the DA and the direction in which the DA is moving. They will be bringing with them approximately 900 former DA supporters. The ID continues to see an influx of voters disenchanted with the DA in Gauteng. More and more decisions are being made on short-term objectives, and principles and values are simply thrown aside. In particular, the DA's commitment to transformation is highly questionable. Policies to which DA members committed themselves are being twisted and their principles violated in the single minded obsession of the leadership and its strategists to gather voters into its waning ranks. How can the DA purport to represent the interests of black people when over 70% of its candidates for Parliament and provincial legislatures are white? The leadership of the DA has taken the party into a cul-de-sac, from which it will be impossible to reverse.
The leadership of the Independent Democrats both in Gauteng and Nationally, offer a viable and principled alternative to Tony Leon and the DA. They offer hope rather than fear. They offer constructive criticism, rather than winging and whining. They have all the promise of an effective political party rather than a limited opposition.
"The defection by these credible DA members today stands in stark contrast to the pathetic political stunt that the DA mounted earlier this month receiving into its ranks a handful of dishonest people," Professor Sono said.
Issued by Professor Themba Sono: 082 370 4445 or 084 243 3811
1.Vincent Gore, former Member of Parliament and constituency head of Houghton-Alexandra Constituency (1999-2004).
2.Councilor Tony Panall, an activist for the DA/DP for 12 years, immediate past chairperson for Krugersdorp branch, Chairperson of the DA Mogale City caucus
3.Morris Siweya, Chairperson of Alexandra Branch of DA, 083 697 2188
4.Hennie Bester, secretary of the Krugersdorp branch of the DA, member of Electoral College
5.Albert ali Lukhele, Chairperson of the Ward 16 Swanniville Branch of the DA
6.Huge Mkhize, Chairperson of the 32 Swanniville Branch of the DA
7. Abraham Thatelo, Chairperson of Orient Branch of the DA
These individuals represent the growing discontentment that supporters of the DA are experiencing with the leadership of the DA and the direction in which the DA is moving. They will be bringing with them approximately 900 former DA supporters. The ID continues to see an influx of voters disenchanted with the DA in Gauteng. More and more decisions are being made on short-term objectives, and principles and values are simply thrown aside. In particular, the DA's commitment to transformation is highly questionable. Policies to which DA members committed themselves are being twisted and their principles violated in the single minded obsession of the leadership and its strategists to gather voters into its waning ranks. How can the DA purport to represent the interests of black people when over 70% of its candidates for Parliament and provincial legislatures are white? The leadership of the DA has taken the party into a cul-de-sac, from which it will be impossible to reverse.
The leadership of the Independent Democrats both in Gauteng and Nationally, offer a viable and principled alternative to Tony Leon and the DA. They offer hope rather than fear. They offer constructive criticism, rather than winging and whining. They have all the promise of an effective political party rather than a limited opposition.
"The defection by these credible DA members today stands in stark contrast to the pathetic political stunt that the DA mounted earlier this month receiving into its ranks a handful of dishonest people," Professor Sono said.
Issued by Professor Themba Sono: 082 370 4445 or 084 243 3811
