As the Democratic Alliance (DA) battles to deal with three resignations of top officials in less than a week, there has been some not so positive response from some social media users.
On Wednesday afternoon, DA leader Mmusi Maimane and national chairperson Athol Trollip announced that they were resigning from the party’s leadership positions.
But on Thursday morning, Maimane dropped another bombshell on Twitter announcing that he was resigning from the DA and Parliament.
Ubaba so this coming #MmusiMaimane #MmusiGoingAwaySong long time ago. pic.twitter.com/eDwx03hQF0
— ??Mpho Maṱhoho (@MaxMpho) October 24, 2019
DA MP, Phumzile van Damme took to Twitter to express his support and well wishes for Maimane.
Thank you for every single one your efforts to build #OneSAForAll @MmusiMaimane. Many have gone unnoticed, but many of us remember & shall never forget. Looking forward to continuing to work with you in Parliament and on this vision. pic.twitter.com/jcIuWyNWlo
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) October 23, 2019
DA chief whip John Steenhuisen also took the opportunity to share his experience working with Maimane.
An honor to work with Mmusi and Athol over many years. Thank you for your leadership, commitment and dedication to the cause. We must work to continue the project. As Ted Kennedy said “the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.
— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) October 23, 2019
But it was a video of former DA Cape Town mayor and now GOOD Party leader, Patricia De Lille that got many people talking.
In the video De Lille is heard singing a song titled ‘Told You So’ , directed at Maimane, did the rounds on social media.
The levels of Pat De Lille’s pettiness are in a league of their own! ??? #MmusiGoingAwaySong #MmusiMaimane pic.twitter.com/FoT1lJF5fK
— Kananelo ?? ?? ?? (@kaysexwale) October 24, 2019
On #MmusiMaimane ‘s resignation: “He saw the blue train coming but didn’t know how to get out of the way”. Full statement by GOOD Leader @PatriciaDeLille here https://t.co/x6XMudpWSw
— Good (@ForGoodZA) October 23, 2019
P O L I T I C S ?????? pic.twitter.com/GqqUMdI5vd
— Lukhanyo Vangqa (@LukhanyoV) October 23, 2019
Some social media users have criticised the DA, accusing it of using its black leaders to get votes and only to fire them after the elections.
Mmusi Maimane resigned as the DA party leader because the DA is not the best vehicle to take forward the vision of one South Africa but remained as a member of the DA and the DA leader in Parliament. #MmusiResigns #MmusiMaimane #HermanMashaba #Trollip
— Man’s Not Barry Roux (@AdvBarryRoux) October 24, 2019
Black people have been in a giant struggle to believe in their humanness; it was not you Helen Zille who fought for them but men like Jacob Zuma who ducked bullets and jumped over exploiding bombs, ran long kilometers in hot heat sun sweating in bushes #MmusiMaimane #MmusiResigns
— Rose Mphahlele (@KwaMhlanga123) October 24, 2019
To think I once had a crush on Mmusi and voted for DA, ngiyazisola? #MmusiMaimane #MmusiResigns pic.twitter.com/iEn16Gu3Q8
— YouTube_ KeMpho M?? (@Ke_Mpho_M) October 24, 2019
But despite all the drama, other DA leaders remain optimistic that the current situation will be a thing of the past soon.
No loss is permanent for as long as we wake up the next day to sun shine, storms ,cold weather and we are still breathing , there is hope. Not even death can kill hope.
— Bongani Baloyi (@BonganiBaloyiEM) October 23, 2019
Etswa mare bohloko boye le pelo. Moshito o tswele pele.
— SollyMalatsi (@SollyMalatsi) October 23, 2019
The party’s federal executive leaders are expected to hold an urgent meeting on Thursday to discuss where to go from here.
