[imagesource: Gallo Images/Sowetan/Veli Nhlapo]

In October last year, Mmusi Maimane (or My-Moosi My-Money if you’re a middle-aged woman from Constantia) resigned from his position as leader of the DA, setting in motion what many called ‘turmoil’ within the party.

Some might say it has yet to recover, with infighting and drama ahead of last month’s policy conference.

But we’re not here to talk about the DA. Rather, let’s talk about Maimane’s ‘Open letter to white South Africans’ – because what South Africa really needs is more open letters.

It’s been published in full on News24, and is essentially marketing for the ONE South Africa Movement, of which Maimane is the “founder and inspirational/courageous Chief Activist”.

Alright, let’s read some excerpts from that open letter:

Dear white South Africans,

I write this open letter to those of you, the overwhelming majority, who want this country to work. To those who desire to build a united, reconciled South Africa that is an example to the world.

To those who are tired of being blamed for all South Africa’s woes. To those who are incensed by the grand-scale theft and corruption within the government.

To those who feel homeless in their country of birth, without a political home and without a progressive voice representing their hope, dreams and ambitions.

We skip ahead to why he felt the need to pen this letter:

This stems out of a time I recently spent with my wife, a white South African woman, who expressed her genuine fears as to what her role is in today’s South Africa. In particular, how our interracial marriage informs this.

You see, our union is an offence to black and white nationalists for different reasons. And each side will tell her a different narrative. On the left, she’s told she is the enemy, yet on the right she’s told she is being targeted and persecuted for simply having a white skin.

The beneficiaries of the race divisions are the extremist politicians and extremist movements, they are able to gain traction and funding from fanning the flames of racial divisions. In truth, it is not in their interests to find pathways to unity rather they are rewarded by the continuation and escalation of conflict.

Let’s begin a new way, one in which we reject this rising trend of division and fearmongering, and roll up our sleeves to build a tolerant and progressive new majority.

If you don’t mind, I’m jumping ahead to the waving of the flag at the end:

South Africa is hope and change. South Africa is expression and action. South Africa is we can and we did.

South Africa is not just fighting, but finding something worth fighting for.

Let’s begin. We have much work ahead.

Cue the flag-coloured confetti exploding from a cannon.

Hang on, the misting machines have created a rainbow, we are the rainbow nation! It’s all coming together.

In the distance, if you listen closely, you can actually hear the ‘Response to Mmusi Maimane’s open letter to white South Africans’ videos being put together in mom’s basement.

Maybe someone will even turn it into a parody song?

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Read the letter in full here.

[source:news24]