By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GalloImages.
Democratic Alliance Phumzile Van Damme has resigned as the member of parliament.
I tendered my resignation, to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms. Thandi Modise, as a Member of Parliament (MP), said Van Damme in a statement.
She said this was not an easy decision to make, and it is done so with a heavy heart.
“I have had a full and life-shaping journey as a Democratic Alliance (DA) activist, staff member, the longest serving National Spokesperson from 2014 to 2018, and a Shadow Minister, which I put my all into.
During my time as an MP, I honed in on my education and experiences, with a determination to always serve the people of South Africa and make this beautiful country a much better place.
I worked hard and made sure I excelled; and reflecting on my time as an MP I can unequivocally say that I am happy with my career and the mark that I leave behind through my contribution to South African politics.
During my seven-years as the Shadow Minister of Communications, and a Parliamentary Whip, I had the pleasure of witnessing the fruits of my hard labour, when we took on the SABC, and turned the tide on it being a state broadcaster and set it on a path to be a public broadcaster. Going as far as travelling to London, I led the charge against Bell Pottinger’s sordid SA disinformation and state capture campaign, which eventually led to the fall of the decades old company. I worked with tech giants both here and abroad, thus gaining international recognition as a global exert on disinformation having been invited to address a United Nations panel on the subject and becoming a member of the International Grand Committee on Disinformation.”
To be clear, I will not be joining another political party, nor will I be using my time to launch attacks on the DA, added Van Damme.
She said she leave’s on my own terms, having made my own decision. Nonetheless, in a climate of rumours and the need to create heroes and villains, my resignation as an MP is not because the DA is a so-called “racist party” but because of a clique of individuals – and in order not to make the good women and men still in the DA suffer, I will not delve further into this.
“Again, I leave with a sore heart and wish to thank members of the public who have stood with me during my time as an MP. As politicians we often forget that we are servants of the people first and foremost, and our work as public representatives is because of them and for them.”
“I am focused on the future and will therefore not be conducting interviews, nor will I be drawn into any negativity that may emanate from the DA. Should the party choose to destroy my reputation and impugn my character, I will not engage in a back-and forth. My good record of service and work speaks for itself, and I will not partake in any gun fights I am called to be part of.”
I will continue with my work on the growing dangers and influence of misinformation in society and spend some much needed time writing my memoirs, concluded Van Damme.