POLITICS & CRICKET - A REFLECTIVE LESSON

It was a tranquil day in idyllic Sandwich Town, Kent, where the sounds of a cricket match filled the air. Besides the ear splitting thump of the ball on a batsman's helmet, the solitude of the game allowed one plenty of time to ponder the big questions. And so, it was for me, recuperating from a mild concussion, to ponder the big questions about South Africa's recent election and its political future. At the outset the obvious must be stated: the ANC under-estimated the deep-seated frustration and resentment amongst its metro supporters. It's ubiquitous T-shirt and food parcel no longer served as catalysts for votes. The DA, on the other hand, understood voter concerns - bread and butter delivery issues. In doing so, it was empirically in a position to demonstrate its competence in governing the Western Cape, and given the opportunity, to govern equally well in other provinces. South Africa's 2016 municipal election was a watershed moment. It has demonstrated a political maturing of its people resulting in the genesis of a new power structure with the DA playing a prominent role. It is up to the DA, metaphorically speaking, not to drop the ball in the country's slips or its boundaries.