Africa-Press – South-Africa. DA MP Nomsa Tarabella-Marchesi has ditched the party and found a new political home in Rise Mzansi.
Tarabella-Marchesi made the announcement on Tuesday morning.
She was a DA MP for 10 years, including being the deputy spokesperson for women, youth and persons with disabilities.
Tarabella-Marchesi joins a long list of black leaders who recently ditched the party, citing a lack of inclusivity.
Speaking to News24, she was scathing about DA leader John Steenhuisen and DA federal council chairperson Helen Zille’s leadership styles.
Tarabella-Marchesi said:
“With the return of Helen and the [leadership of] Steenhuisen, I saw a shift towards consolidation.
“They are basically consolidating their 20% vote. That means excluding the majority voters,” she claimed.
“Being a black woman in a political party like that, I mean what is it that I’m there for if I’m not empowered or supported to attract the vote of the majority?”
Zille did not take kindly to Tarabella-Marchesi’s comments, saying:
“She had no reporting line to me, and I never managed anything she ever did,” she added.
“Frankly, that reason is so far-fetched that it cannot be taken seriously. Ask the people I work with every day what they think of my management style, not someone like Nomsa, who has never had any experience of it.”
Tarabella-Marchesi said Rise Mzansi was bringing a fresh edge to the political scene.
“In Rise, we don’t have a leader that we can say, ‘okay this is a founder and without them the organisation is going to die’. We don’t set ourselves around a particular leader.”
She added she was aware she was taking a leap of faith and “leaving a very secured environment” salary-wise.
“But I’m not in politics for money.”
Tarabella-Marchesi said it “doesn’t feel right” bearing the title of MP when one could not effect change the way she wished she could in the DA.
She added Rise Mzansi’s values and style attracted her and the fact it was “not a one man show” was the cherry on the cake for her.
“There are people who believe in the policies of Mzansi in the Free State. All I have to do is work hard to educate those who have lost trust in politicians and bring back their trust,” Tarabella-Marchesi said.
She added she joined the DA as an activist a decade ago with the belief the party could effect change and bring about reforms.
“Over time, I have seen its inability to bridge the trust deficit between the party and the majority of South Africans and, most importantly, the loss of ability to effectively represent the diverse concerns of all communities across our beloved nation.”
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