Mr Maimane, as a first-time black DA voter I think it is great that you want to bring change to South Africa.
However before you change South Africa, perhaps change is most needed in the DA itself. I gave you my vote during the last elections based on your promise of jobs, redress and a fairer South Africa.
What has come of your election promises to the electorate?
A closer look at the organisations in the Western Cape directly under DA control will reveal a clear pattern of job reservations at executive level in favour of white males.
Of the six public sector companies in the Western Cape, four are led by white male chief executives.
At municipal level the situation is just as acute. At Overberg District Municipality white males represent 100% of senior management. At Swartland and Drakenstein municipalities, respectively, white males represent 80% of all senior managers.
Swartland is unique in that up until 2013 Afrikaans was an official requirement for employment.
At most other municipalities in the Western Cape at least 50% of all senior managerial appointments are held by whites.
When we as black people say they fear that you will bring back apartheid as a party, it’s not a literal reference that you will bring back discriminatory laws, but more a reference to your complete lack of faith in the competencies of black people.
Honourable Mr Maimane, please put an end to job reservations at senior management level in favour of whites in the Western Cape. Please put an end to this well-disguised discriminatory practice.
Disappointed first time DA voter.