By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GalloImages.
Former Democratic Alliance (DA) youth leader and member of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature, Mbali Ntuli has resigned.
Ntuli becomes yet another prominent young black politician to express a loss of confidence in the country’s second-largest political party.
In a lengthy statement on Thursday, she said her departure was a necessary move and that it did not come easily.
“Change is good. It provides an opportunity for reflection and renewal. It is in that spirit that I today inform you that I have tendered my resignation as a member of the Democratic Alliance and a member of the KwaZulu-Natal provincial legislature,” Ntuli said in a statement.
She outlined the challenges she faced in the party and said she was leaving with a sense of compassion for those who remained in the DA.
In 2020, she contested the DA’s leadership position and lost by a significant margin to John Steenhuisen. While campaigning to lead the party, she challenged what she described as “cult-like culture” or fear that dominated the party. She believed the party’s disciplinary structure was often used as a weapon for political point-scoring.
“My colleagues in the DA know better than most the difficult and relentless challenges I have faced in the party, in part because so many have played out in the public domain, but also because our party (like any other organisation) is not immune to gossip.
“I have been forthright about instances where the DA has erred in its treatment of its members and the negative culture that is fostered within the organisation – my opposition of which formed part of my year-long campaign for DA leader in 2020,” Ntuli said.
“So I leave with a deep sense of compassion for those of you who will remain, and wish you all the best as you forge ahead with the exemplary work you do as individuals to help improve South Africa.”
The former youth leader said she joined the DA at 19, believing that South Africa needed a change from the ANC administration. She now believes the country’s political system and its political parties have failed to deal with socio-economic problems and enable South Africans to advance and access opportunities.
Ntuli’s resignation comes on the back of former DA Midvaal mayor Bongani Baloyi’s departure.
Over the years leaders such as John Moodey, Herman Mashaba and Phumzile Van Damme also walked away from the organisation, as did Maimane and Mazibuko.
Meanwhile the DA in KZN acknowledged receipt of Mbali Ntuli’s resignation letter and thanked her for her contribution to different party structures over the past 15 years.