Newly released memoirs from the late Democratic Alliance (DA) strategist James Selfe have sparked political debate. The excerpts portray former DA leader Helen Zille as a controlling and vindictive figure within the party.
Selfe, who served for decades as the DA’s Federal Council Chairperson, wrote candidly about Zille’s tenure as leader. In his account, he describes her leadership as having a “binary outlook,” where colleagues were either with her or against her. Those who fell out of favor allegedly faced harsh consequences for what he called “fanciful or unjustified” reasons.
Helen Zille led the DA from 2007 to 2015 and is widely credited with significantly growing the party’s electoral support and establishing the Western Cape as its stronghold. Her supporters argue that her firm leadership was essential to making the DA a formidable opposition party.
Political analysts suggest the memoirs could reignite debates about the DA’s internal culture. The revelations are seen as significant because Selfe was a central figure in the party’s operations for decades. His critique provides an insider’s perspective on how personality-driven leadership affected the DA’s trajectory.
The release of these excerpts is expected to provoke further discussion within political circles, especially as the DA prepares for the 2026 elections.