DA to discuss race, redress at first policy conference
Democratic Alliance (DA) policy head Gwen Ngwenya says conversations regarding race and addressing economic exclusion often ignores the causes of poverty, inequality and unemployment.
She was speaking ahead of the DA’s first virtual policy conference on Saturday and Sunday, where over 200 delegates are finally expected to decide the party’s stance on economic redress.
Gwenya says the party will discuss economic inequality, separation of party and state and what it believes government to be on day one.
Ngwenya acknowledged that a weekend is not enough to discuss all the policy topics, but said that it is meant to be a start.
Part of the discussion will include a debate on race and disadvantage in South Africa.
ALSO READ: 'We made a mistake' - Clicks under fire for racist hair campaign
"For me, it's not so much whether race is or isn't a proxy, it can be used as a proxy, but the question is rather do you need a proxy rather for disadvantaged when there are excellent studies and can tell you in less murky terms and can really explain in details what disadvantaged looks like,” said Ngwenya.
"It's not enough to say 'okay the majority of disadvantaged are black,' but we also want to know more about those people. I need to know more about your situation and that's where those other indicators are important.”
Ngwenya believes the debate itself does not deal with the challenges people face.
The party's federal chairperson Ivan Meyer said they do not anticipate any drama during the weekend.
"We don't expect any virtual walkouts at our meeting because in the DA we encourage debates.
"At the end of the day, it is the argument that matters. We always say people must not raise their voice they must improve their argument.”
