Politics and race: ANC, DA, MK, EFF, and FF+ compared

An analysis of the leadership of South Africa’s top political parties shows that local politics remains race-driven.

The debate about race in politics remains as relevant as it was in 1994, with a big distinction between white and black parties.

The ANC, MK Party, and the EFF are seen as black parties, while the DA and Freedom Front Plus are seen as white parties.

Political analyst Prince Mashele, for example, argues that the Democratic Alliance is hindered by historic baggage and identity politics and being a white party.

He said that the DA has invited black politicians into its ranks as puppets rather than treating them as equal co-owners of the organisation.

“The DA is a party of white people, focusing on the interests of white people, and nothing else,” he said previously.

He added that the South African political landscape has been split between white politics, represented by the DA’s core base, and black politics, represented by the ANC.

DA stalwart, Helen Zille, disputes this characterisation, arguing that the Democratic Alliance is the only truly diverse party in South Africa.

During major election campaigns, Zille has repeatedly argued that the DA is the only non-racial political party on the ballot paper.

She argued that most other South African political parties appeal directly to specific ethnic, racial, or cultural nationalist bases.

The DA, in contrast, builds its platform on a shared constitutionalist identity that rejects racial categorisation.

“We must resist the pull of race-based politics and defend the inclusive, rational centre. We are not black, not white, we are blue,” she said.

Newsday looks at the numbers

To assess the diversity of South Africa’s top political parties, Newsday analysed the race breakdown of the leadership.

The ANC’s top leadership is 100% black. It includes President Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, and Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula.

The other top leaders in the party are Gwede Mantashe, Nomvula Mokonyane, Moropene Ramokgopa, and Gwen Ramokgopa.

The DA’s leadership is more diverse, which includes Federal Leader Geordin Hill-Lewis, Federal Chairperson Solly Msimanga, and Federal Council Chairperson, Ashor Sarupen.

There is also George Michalakis, Mark Burke, JP Smith, Thomas Walters, Carl Pophaim, Siviwe Gwarube, Cilliers Brink, Solly Malatsi, and Ndipiwe Olayi.

The MK Party’s leadership resembles that of the ANC, where all 10 of its top leaders are black.

This includes President Jacob Zuma, Deputy President John Hlophe, and National Chairperson Nathi Nhleko.

The EFF is slightly more diverse, with five black leaders and one coloured. They include President Julius Malema and Deputy President Godrich Gardee.

Other leaders in the party include Marshall Dlamini, Leigh-Ann Mathys, Nontando Nolutshungu, and Omphile Maotwe.

The IFP is also a majority black party, led by Velenkosini Fiki Hlabisa as President and Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi as Deputy President.

Other leaders include Siphosethu Ngcobo, Narend Singh, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, Blessed Gwala, Phumzile Buthelezi, Sanele Sethembeni Zondo, and Inkosi RN Cebekhulu.

Party	Black	White	Coloured	Indian	Percentage of top race
ANC	7	0	0	0	100%
DA	4	6	1	1	50%
MK Party	10	0	0	0	100%
EFF	5	0	1	0	83%
IFP	8	0	0	1	89%
FF Plus	0	7	0	0	100%
PA	1	0	5	0	83%
ActionSA	3	3	0	0	50%