DA launches Blue the Network for Young Professionals in London

Until 1994, London was the headquarters of the ANC outside South Africa, and as such was on the frontline in the battle against Apartheid. Nineteen years later, on Thursday 29 August, the Democratic Alliance (DA), the opposition party in South Africa convened an evening at the Liberal Club to engage with young South Africans. Christened Blue the Network, its aim is to inspire South Africans in the UK to contribute to a “peaceful transition of government via the ballot box.”

Over a glass of wine before the event, excitement reached fever pitch. For Justin, a young South African from Durban, the main attraction was hearing from the main speaker Lindiwe Mazibuko. “She’s one of the most intelligent women of our time. She knows what she wants, she knows how to get there and which button to press to get it,” he enthused.

“The DA offers simplicity and clarity. South Africa’s problems are pretty clear, and they seem to be the only other people working to fix them for everyone not just for the few,” he explained.

After drinks, the evening took an informal but serious direction. Inside the Lloyd George room, a crowd of young people gathered to hear from the top brass of the DA.

“We have a similar network in South Africa and we hope to build one here, to help young South Africans to understand that their votes count,” explained DA chief executive officer Jonathan Moakes.

Senior members of the DA chatted about their lives and encouraged the audience to contribute to the discussion. Most importantly for the DA leadership though, was telling young people how they can get involved. Volunteering, voting and contributing to the DA’s election fund are high on the list.

“Most of these young people don’t know how important their votes are in the next election,” Mazibuko told me.

“When you’re outside South Africa you feel you can ‘t make as much of a contribution, and I love to enthuse people about what they can do and about their power.”

The DA is also excited about the 2014 election, of which the Blue Network launch is a vital part.

“2014 is a watershed election,” Mazibuko  said. “It’s the first election in which young South Africans who never lived under apartheid (the ‘born frees’) get to vote.”

She hastened to add that the legacy of apartheid has not gone away. “They’re bequeathed with unemployment, poor education and lack of economic prospects but they are not captive to this idea of the struggle, which is part of the ANC’s electoral methodology.”

“We’re very much a young forward looking political party.  What we want is a peaceful transition that isn’t marked by irregularities and political violence, and doesn’t result in the losing party refusing to leave office,” concluded Mazibuko.

If the applause at the end of the event and the enthusiastic chatter of young people was anything to go by, a peaceful transition via the ballot box seems a possibility.

by David Wilkins