Episode 78 - EXCLUSIVE: MBALI NTULI SPEAKS TO ME ABOUT QUITTING THE DA TODAY

Now former Democratic Alliance politician and leader Mbali Ntuli
explained in detail her reasons for exiting both the party and
the political stage. On Eusebius on TimesLIVE, which we also
cross-post here on In The Ring, she painted a picture of a
political culture that had taken root within the DA that is
factionalist in nature, leading to the "weaponising" of party
structures and processes, including disciplinary processes, for
factional ends. While describing herself as being "emotional"
about her shock announcement today, she intimated that plenty of
thought and planning had gone into the decision. 

Another reason for her decision to quit the DA was a general
feeling of despair that South Africa's party political system is
not delivering justice and equity for communities across the
country. This, she shared with me, made her re-examine whether
she herself is sufficiently grounded still within communities,
despite being part of representative political structures and
systems. She was alluding to a crisis within politics generally,
and felt that pivoting towards community-based work in the
immediate future, as she intends to do, is important for
re-connecting with ordinary South Africans across the country.
While not undermining the work of legislative bodies, she argues
that it is "easy" to do committee work, for example, and to be
disconnected from communities. She intends, however, to return to
politics in the future because it is "in the blood" but has NO
plans of presently joining another political vehicle. 

Have a listen to our full conversation