Opposition parties have applauded Helen Zille’s decision to step down as leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA), in what was a surprise announcement on Sunday. The African National Congress (ANC) and the Congress of South African Trade Union (COSATU) believes her decision was a coercive one in a bid to gain the support of black voters, while the Congress of the People (COPE) sees this as an opportunity for new and more competent leadership, the parties said in statements on Monday.

“The Africanisation of the DA has come a long time despite Zille’s racist remarks throughout her term as leader. Despite this she has only appointed black leaders to gain the support and loyalty of black voters. She was pushed as she is not a woman who would jump voluntarily opening the door for Mmusi Maimane,” says ANC Western Cape spokesperson Cobus Grobler.

The ANC says that Zille was forced to step down due to her constant disjointed leadership and racist behaviour. It said statements she has made that has bring the party into disrepute and discontent.

“She was pushed out of office as she has made various ridiculous remarks, tweets and utterances aimed at black people mainly IsiXhosa Eastern Cape school children being called refugees, jabs towards black professionals, jabs to the ANC as elephants and comments about black women only coming to events just taking up space and coming for food and taking pad kos,” says Grobler.

COSATU questioned Zille’s leadership abilities slamming her as an incompetent leader who has failed to gain the support of black voters.

“She was pushed out of the office. She had tried to ban newspapers which published unfavourable stories of the DA. Under her leadership the DA has failed to reach out to black people and she has reached her stage of incompetency as a leader,” says COSATU provincial secretary Tony Ehrenreich.

COPE ridiculed Zille’s decision as a stunt to gain black votes and stated that the DA has received much support from the black population due to their policies. They proclaimed that a ruling party thrives on the policies it sets and not the portion of support it gains from various racial groups.

“Many black people voted for the DA while Zille was in power. People are making their own decisions whether it is a black or white leader but based on the policies of the party. It will be the policies that will always gain the support of the people,” says COPE spokesperson Dennis Bloem.

COPE applauded her decision to step down as it will allow for new leadership. The federation feels this is long overdue.

“We want to congratulate Zille for the step she has taken to step down making the way for younger leadership. It is a very good move she has made to step down,” added Bloem.

Despite once stating that she would serve as leader as long as she is elected and admitting that the DA has prospered under leadership due to outstanding team work, Zille feels that it is time for the new leadership.

“I knew that I could serve a maximum of ten years in each position — divided into two five year terms as long as I was re-elected. I have led the DA for eight years now, and have worked closely with many outstanding people. From the start, I resolved that the outer limit of my term as party leader would be ten years, not because the party’s constitution prescribes this. There are no term limits but because I believe every political party needs renewal and fresh blood after a decade, no matter how well the incumbent team has performed,” Zille said at her press conference.

She says the party has attempted to under her leadership to build the non-racial ideals for South Africa and she has questioned whether she should remain in power until then.

“In the last few years I have often asked myself whether I should stay till then, or whether the party would benefit from fresh blood to remain exciting and relevant, and grow its support base to build the non-racial centre of South African politics,” says Zille.

However, she will serve as premier of the Western Cape until her term ends. VOC