Why I left the ANC

By Mthokozisi Nkosi

Leaving the ANCYL was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. And once I became a member of the Democratic Alliance Students’ Organisation (Daso) at the University of Pretoria I endured endless insults from my former “comrades”. A few years ago I made a decision to build a better SA. On May 18 you, too, can ensure that service delivery comes to your community by lending your vote to the DA.

Making such a choice will come with many challenges. As a young black South African of humble beginnings I am testament to the hurdles one has to overcome when you decide to throw your support behind the DA. I thought it couldn’t get any worse than losing friends and being called a “white person’s puppet”, until my family found out. Just short of turning on me, my family hasn’t been that supportive of my role in Daso.

I refuse to be drawn into the dirty politics of racial nationalism. And even though it isn’t easy to be black in the DA, once you can look past the external criticism you can begin to use the party as a platform for positive change. Many people don’t realise the financial struggles university students face, and even fewer people realise that the DA is at the forefront of fighting for better access to financial aid. Reforming the National Student Financial Aid Scheme is at the top of the agenda, and at Tuks — where I currently serve as a SRC member — I formed an aid fund to help indigent students pay for textbooks and outstanding fees.

This year’s elections are about your local community getting the services it deserves. The DA’s record in local governance is impressive and highlights the party’s commitment to the poor. In the City of Cape Town the DA built 31 858 houses between 2006/7 and 2009/10, whereas the ANC only built 9 862 houses in the 2003/4 to 2005/6 period in which it governed the city. As a young South African I’m mindful of our past but committed to building a country where public representatives actually serve the people. The DA consistently proves that it delivers to all the people — especially the poor, whether it is on a university campus or in Gugulethu.

People wonder if there is place for young black people in the party of delivery and have to remind them that the DA is also the party of diversity. DA leaders like Lindiwe Mazibuko, Makashule Gana and Mbali Ntuli will be joined by a team of dynamic young candidates like Mmusi Maimane, Trod Lehong and Ashor Sarupen in Gauteng. Discarding one’s negative views of the DA can be difficult but young South Africans must realise the DA is committed to diversity and investing in the development of talented youths.

I stand by what I believe in, not by what I thought the DA represented. Voting for the ANC just because our parents do isn’t going to bring about positive change. Take a leap of faith and vote for a vibrant party that will deliver services to all our communities. Vote DA May 18!

Mthokozisi Nkosi is a University of Pretoria SRC member, the deputy-chairperson of the Democratic Alliance Students’ Organisation Tuks and 2011 DA Young Leader.