MyPE

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You shouldn’t have to explain

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I got a few people hot under the collar last week when I challenged the thinking behind the DA’s public welcoming of King Dalindyebo to the ranks of the party members. See: Dear Athol, Stanford and Buyelekhaya.

This past weekend my sentiments were echoed by Redi Tlhabi in a piece titled: “DA scores own goal by taking on scandalous king” and then by Zapiro with his incisive cartoon asking if the move was opportunism.

Writing on her Facebook page Helen Zille said; “After all, we reckoned, no-one else who joins the DA as an ordinary member is subject to an ideology test or a ‘due diligence’ investigation. That hurdle only comes if you wish to become a DA public representative. There is a huge difference.” *

I think that two principles are being sacrificed in the name of votes here:

  • You cannot be morally corrupt just because someone else is!
  • If you have to explain your actions then you have failed

Of course if the front page public welcoming of the King to the rank and file membership of the DA is an indication that every new member from now on will also get the Royal treatment with a visit from Athol Trollip, press conferences explaining the reasoning why the membership was accepted and opinion pieces on the reasoning by the party leader then we may yet see a flood of new members.

* And while I am on a roll (zol?) I would like to know why there is a “huge difference” between the ordinary rank and file members and DA public representatives? Surely we should ALL ascribe to the same moral code? Surely we are all equal?

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.