Political analysts weigh in on Helen Zille's comments about ANC's future

Helen Zille may have inadvertently highlighted who they are willing to work with in a continued coalition with the ANC and who they are opposed to head up Africa's oldest liberation movement.

This is according to political experts who have warned that people should be cautious in who the DA federal council chair, Helen Zille, has spotlighted, following her interview with Sunday World.

Zille said the election of billionaire Patrice Motsepe to the position of ANC president would result in a smooth and non-disruptive transition of power.

While in a podcast interview with Sunday World, Zille hesitated to comment on the ANC’s internal processes, saying that whoever she touted would likely end up having the least likely chance of succeeding.

However, in an online article, Zille offered her perspective on what such a leadership change could mean for the country.

“I perceive that a transition from President Ramaphosa to President Motsepe would not be disruptive; it would be a smooth process,” Zille said.

“Well, we had a president from business, who is President Ramaphosa. From what I know, Patrice Motsepe is his brother-in-law, so they are very closely related, but it depends on whether that faction of the ANC can maintain their peace. Patrice Motsepe will be a seamless transition from what we have now and the future,” she said.

Zille was contacted for further insights into her remarks, but did not respond. 

Political analyst, Professor Sipho Seepe, weighed in, stating that while Zille’s opinion matters -given that she is a formidable politician and the power behind the DA.

Political analyst Professor André Duvenhage said: "If we look at Patrice Motsepe, we know that he's very close to Cyril Ramaphosa, and I believe they are probably more or less in the same political, economic framework and related value system."

“I also think that Patrice Motsepe is a better candidate than the other candidates mentioned, plus the potential that may come from other areas within the party. Motsepe has the best chance of keeping the current Government of National Unity together.

“If it’s, for example, Paul Mashatile and maybe there's a big influence coming from people like Panyaza Lesufi and that ideological line of thinking, it's more likely that we may see a cooperation among parties like the ANC, the EFF and some of the other radical parties.

“So in that sense, I can agree with Helen Zille.”

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