Latest news with #LiamJacobs
The South African
20 hours ago
- Politics
- The South African
Liam Jacobs reacts to Helen Zille snub: 'Systematised oppression'
Former Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Liam Jacobs has responded to comments made by Helen Zille. In a recent interview, the former leader of the party alluded to the 24-year-old enjoying the 'limelight.' Last month, Liam surprised South Africans with his shock defection to the Patriotic Alliance. This came after he accused his former party of not electing people of colour into leadership roles. On his Facebook account, Liam Jacobs reposted a recent EWN interview with Helen Zille. In the clip, the former DA leader broke her silence on Liam's shock exit. Responding to her comments, Liam posted: 'I've said it once and I'll say it again. Unfortunately, the entire reasoning of that EWN clip misses everything I spoke of in my statement after leaving. 'It misses how deeply systematised oppression is within the structures of that party. It also misses the core question of representation and its ethical implications. It also misses the inherent anti-meritocratic practices within the party.' I've said it once and I'll say it again. Unfortunately, the entire reasoning of that EWN clip misses everything I spoke… Posted by Liam Jacobs on Monday 28 July 2025 Speaking to EWN this week, Helen Zille broke her silence on DA MP Liam Jacob's decision to suddenly leave the party for another he had publicly criticised. She said: 'I like Liam, and I got on well with Liam. I don't want to clap him in any way. Helen hinted that there were no hard feelings on her end. She continued: 'It takes many years in politics to know that getting bashed about is part of what you bought into. And to know that you mustn't take yourself too seriously, and to know that you're going to get clapped from every single angle. You just have to dust yourself and get on with it.' The DA federal council chair alluded to Liam Jacobs's age and somewhat inexperience in politics. She added, 'Young people come in and get into the spotlight and enjoy the limelight. But the minute you get the spotlight, the next thing is that you're going to have your head cut off. And you're going to have to survive it. It takes some hard knocks to get to that point. 'I say to young people that when you get disillusioned, when you get angry, just remind yourself that there has never been a single person who left the DA who wasn't sorry afterwards'. Meanwhile, PA leader Gayton McKenzie has appointed Liam Jacobs to replace Kenny Kunene as Gauteng MMC for Transport. This follows Kunene's resignation amid being allegedly implicated to criminally accused businessman, Katiso Molefe. Gayton said of his protege: 'We want him to get the experience, help fix potholes and continue the good work Kunene has been doing.' He added: 'This is your chance to show people you don't just complain and point out mistakes. This is your chance to show people you can lead. You have shown people your heart, people have fallen in love with you. Don't disappoint them. This is your moment.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
3 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
'I don't want to clap him': Helen Zille speaks out on Liam Jacobs
Helen Zille has broken her silence on Liam Jacob's shock decision to leave the Democratic Alliance (DA) in favour of the Patriotic Alliance (PA). The former party leader claimed that there were 'no hard feelings' over the young MP's defection to the opposition. Speaking to EWN this week, Helen Zille commented on former DA MP Liam Jacob's decision to suddenly leave the party for another he had publicly criticised. She said: 'I like Liam, and I got on well with Liam. I don't want to clap him in any way. Helen hinted that there were no hard feelings on her end. She continued: 'It takes many years in politics to know that getting bashed about is part of what you bought into. And to know that you mustn't take yourself too seriously, and to know that you're going to get clapped from every single angle. You just have to dust yourself and get on with it.' The DA federal council chair alluded to Liam Jacobs's age and somewhat inexperience in politics. She added, 'Young people come in and get into the spotlight and enjoy the limelight. But the minute you get the spotlight, the next thing is that you're going to have your head cut off. And you're going to have to survive it. It takes some hard knocks to get to that point. 'I say to young people that when you get disillusioned, when you get angry, just remind yourself that there has never been a single person who left the DA who wasn't sorry afterwards'. @nexwavesa #NexWaveSA #HelenZille #LiamJacobs #ActionSA #SouthAfricanPolitics #PoliticalDrama #SAnews #WesternCapePolitics #CoalitionTalks #BreakingNewsSA ♬ original sound – nexwavesa In a Facebook Live with Patriotic Alliance president Gayton McKenzie and MP Ashley Sauls last month, Liam Jacobs revealed why he chose to leave the blue party for the green one. The 24-year-old is known for his bold questions in parliament and thought-provoking videos on social media. Liam claimed that in a recent parliamentary committee meeting, during which he critiqued the leadership of the National Arts Council, Gayton said something that touched him 'deep in my soul.' Gayton McKenzie has praised Liam Jacobs's decision to join the Patriotic Alliance. Images via Facebook: @gaytonmck He said of Gayton's words: 'He said to me, 'You call me a dictator when your party doesn't have one coloured person as a minister or deputy minister, despite coloured people making up the overwhelming majority of the vote'. When he said that, it was a moment when I swallowed my breath. At that moment, I knew it was time to come home'. He added, 'I knew I was being used. 'I feel genuinely loved and welcomed here. I am finally home'. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Mail & Guardian
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
Born Free: Jacobs defects, Motsepe for Prez, Zille returns – Is youth politics fading?
This week on Born Free, Khumo Kumalo and Otsile Nkadimeng break down the political bombshells making waves across South Africa. 🔹 Liam Jacobs, once the DA's poster child for youth leadership, has defected to the Patriotic Alliance — what's behind the switch, and what does it say about the future of the DA? 🔹 Patrice Motsepe is being quietly floated as a presidential contender — is South Africa searching for another billionaire to 'save' it? 🔹 Helen Zille is back in the spotlight, with rumours swirling around a return as Mayor of Johannesburg. With big personalities grabbing headlines, Born Free asks: Is South African politics becoming a personality contest? Can youth leaders still break through the noise? And is Parliament becoming more about power than policy? #BornFreePodcast #SouthAfrica #Politics #mgpodcasts #SAPolitics #SAYouthVoices #SADemocracy #PoliticsUnpacked #PowerAndPolitics #LiamJacobs #PatriceMotsepe #HelenZille #YouthInPolitics #PersonalityPolitics #PoliticalDefection #JoburgPolitics #MotsepeForPresident #DAtoPA #ZilleReturns #FutureOfSA #WhoLeadsNext #SApolitics2025 #YouthVsPower Khumo Kumalo is the visionary behind Misunderstood and the dynamic co-host of Born Free . Named one of the Mail & Guardian's Top 200 Young South Africans of 2024 , he is a bold voice in the country's evolving political discourse. As the author of Newsletter 94 (formerly Misunderstood), Kumalo delves into South Africa's complex history and shifting political landscape, reflecting on the dreams and realities of a post-apartheid nation. His passion for debate and current affairs was ignited at St John's College , later taking him to Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia , where he continued to sharpen his perspective on leadership and social change. Kumalo isn't just asking questions—he's challenging narratives, sparking conversations, and pushing South Africa's youth to rethink what it truly means to be Born Free . Otsile Nkadimeng is a published author, policy writer, and changemaker , balancing his role as a second-year university student with a deep commitment to youth empowerment. Recognized by News24 for his impact and awarded the Young Nelson Mandela Award in 2023 , he is shaping conversations on democracy, governance, and sustainability. As the Executive Director of SoWeVote , a platform he co-founded, Nkadimeng is making it easier for young South Africans to access critical information about politics and democracy. His advocacy extends beyond borders—he serves as a Youth Advisor to the Embassy of Sweden in Pretoria and is a fellow at the International Youth Think Tank , where he contributes to global youth policy discussions. Passionate about sustainability, he has co-founded and led multiple initiatives aimed at environmental and social progress across South Africa. Whether in civic engagement, international diplomacy, or grassroots activism, Nkadimeng is at the forefront of youth-led change, proving that young voices aren't just part of the conversation—they're leading it. Disclaimer: 'Born Free' is an opinion-based podcast and does not represent the views of M&G Media (PTY) LTD, its owners, affiliates, employees, or partners. The opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not reflect the editorial stance of the Mail & Guardian.
IOL News
18-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Liam Jacobs Defection: A Western Cape Political War Shaped by Identity and Media Optics
Patriotic Alliance leader and former Democratic Alliance MP Liam Jacobs. The defection of one young MP may not decide an election, but it signals a broader realignment, says the writer. Image: Patriotic Alliance/X Clyde N.S. Ramalaine On the eve of Youth Day 2025, South African politics was rocked by a bold defection: 24-year-old Member of Parliament Liam Jacobs, a rising figure in the Democratic Alliance (DA), appeared at midnight in a Patriotic Alliance (PA) livestream, announcing his move to the rival party. Once an outspoken parliamentary critic of PA leader Gayton McKenzie, Jacobs now stood beside him, clad in PA colours. This dramatic transition is more than political theatre; it signals a calculated realignment ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE), revealing the shifting tactics that define contemporary South African party politics. The political adage, 'In politics there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies, only permanent interests,' aptly frames this episode. Jacobs's move illustrates that in politics, loyalty and ideology often yield to strategic interest. Former rivals find common cause, not out of principle, but due to evolving objectives. This fluidity defines the realpolitik of South Africa's multiparty resignation was more than administrative; it was theatrical. Announced via livestream rather than a formal letter, his appearance alongside McKenzie was itself a declaration, bypassing bureaucratic convention for media spectacle. The DA, caught off guard, responded by pointing to protocol violations. But this only underscored its dissonance with the optics-driven nature of modern politics. In today's political climate, where perception reigns supreme, symbolic gestures often eclipse procedural norms. Granted, 'one swallow does not make a summer, nor does one fine day,' yet his defection marks a realignment rooted not only in tactical calculation but also in shared identity. Both Jacobs and McKenzie, according to democratic South Africa's state-led racial categorisation for its citizenry, are ascribed an identity marker of Coloured politicians, a fact powerfully symbolised. Their alignment taps into broader issues of racial representation and regional mobilisation, particularly within the Coloured electorate constituency of the Western Cape and Northern Cape. In South Africa, identity politics remain central to party identity and strategy. For the PA, Jacobs's defection is a double win: it adds youth credibility and simultaneously punctures the DA's image of generational renewal. Jacobs brings with him media savvy, a following among young voters, and a political narrative of personal conviction—assets that the PA will seek to deploy strategically. Conversely, the DA lost a youthful, dynamic figure who embodied its future-facing posture, weakening its appeal among younger Coloured voters. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Though seemingly personal, Jacobs's switch is also emblematic. The PA's timing, launching the announcement over Youth Day weekend, maximised symbolic impact. The message was clear: the PA is positioning itself not merely as an alternative but as a bold, rising contender capable of luring the best from its in South Africa, like elsewhere, is not merely policy-driven; it is strategic theatre. The PA's presentation of Jacobs's defection was a textbook example of narrative manipulation, media exploitation, and timing. The move was less about resigning from the DA and more about rebranding his political image. This act of political theatre was designed to win the optics war and shift public discourse in the PA's favour. Rather than a traditional press release, the livestream announcement created drama and spectacle. The calculated use of symbolism, party colours, and public display redefined the terrain of defection as performance. The timing was masterful—aligned with Youth Day, the moment resonated with generational symbolism and highlighted the PA's appeal to younger voters. Outmanoeuvring political opponents involves strategic deception, calculated exposure, and seizing narrative control. Jacobs's surprise appearance placed the DA on the defensive, enhancing the PA's image as a tactically agile force. This was more than recruitment; it was symbolic conquest. The PA not only gained a voice; it gained validation and attention. Such moves are not merely acts of addition but of transformation. They may shift voter psychology, attract floating constituencies, and redefine political branding. Politics, ultimately, is about winning, gaining ground, disrupting opponents, and capturing the public imagination. Jacobs's defection did all three. More than individual repositioning, Jacobs's crossover signals a broader strategy: expanding the PA's support base among Coloured voters, particularly the youth. The DA has historically dominated this demographic, especially in the Western Cape, where Coloured South Africans make up 42.1% of the population. At its height in 2014, the DA secured 59.4% of the provincial vote. By 2024, this dropped to 55.3%. The PA, which had no presence in 2014, secured 7.8% in 2024. If the PA increases its share to 15–20%, the DA's majority could collapse. While symbolic events don't guarantee electoral gains, they catalyse momentum. Jacobs's defection could accelerate shifts in allegiance among young and disenchanted voters. Jacobs embodies the very electorate the PA is targeting: young, urban, Coloured voters who feel increasingly alienated by the DA's leadership and messaging. His move could serve as a tipping point for similar realignments across constituencies where the DA is vulnerable. It can be argued that Jacobs's defection qualifies as a coup. It was timed for maximum effect, targeted at a key demographic, and delivered in a format tailored to 21st-century political engagement. In undermining the DA's claim to youth-driven leadership renewal, the PA scored a decisive symbolic Jacobs's history of publicly challenging McKenzie in Parliament adds to the drama.
IOL News
18-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Liam Jacobs Defection: A Western Cape Political War Shaped by Identity and Media Optics
Patriotic Alliance leader and former Democratic Alliance MP Liam Jacobs. The defection of one young MP may not decide an election, but it signals a broader realignment, says the writer. Image: Patriotic Alliance/X Clyde N.S. Ramalaine On the eve of Youth Day 2025, South African politics was rocked by a bold defection: 24-year-old Member of Parliament Liam Jacobs, a rising figure in the Democratic Alliance (DA), appeared at midnight in a Patriotic Alliance (PA) livestream, announcing his move to the rival party. Once an outspoken parliamentary critic of PA leader Gayton McKenzie, Jacobs now stood beside him, clad in PA colours. This dramatic transition is more than political theatre; it signals a calculated realignment ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE), revealing the shifting tactics that define contemporary South African party politics. The political adage, 'In politics there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies, only permanent interests,' aptly frames this episode. Jacobs's move illustrates that in politics, loyalty and ideology often yield to strategic interest. Former rivals find common cause, not out of principle, but due to evolving objectives. This fluidity defines the realpolitik of South Africa's multiparty resignation was more than administrative; it was theatrical. Announced via livestream rather than a formal letter, his appearance alongside McKenzie was itself a declaration, bypassing bureaucratic convention for media spectacle. The DA, caught off guard, responded by pointing to protocol violations. But this only underscored its dissonance with the optics-driven nature of modern politics. In today's political climate, where perception reigns supreme, symbolic gestures often eclipse procedural norms. Granted, 'one swallow does not make a summer, nor does one fine day,' yet his defection marks a realignment rooted not only in tactical calculation but also in shared identity. Both Jacobs and McKenzie, according to democratic South Africa's state-led racial categorisation for its citizenry, are ascribed an identity marker of Coloured politicians, a fact powerfully symbolised. Their alignment taps into broader issues of racial representation and regional mobilisation, particularly within the Coloured electorate constituency of the Western Cape and Northern Cape. In South Africa, identity politics remain central to party identity and strategy. For the PA, Jacobs's defection is a double win: it adds youth credibility and simultaneously punctures the DA's image of generational renewal. Jacobs brings with him media savvy, a following among young voters, and a political narrative of personal conviction—assets that the PA will seek to deploy strategically. Conversely, the DA lost a youthful, dynamic figure who embodied its future-facing posture, weakening its appeal among younger Coloured voters. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Though seemingly personal, Jacobs's switch is also emblematic. The PA's timing, launching the announcement over Youth Day weekend, maximised symbolic impact. The message was clear: the PA is positioning itself not merely as an alternative but as a bold, rising contender capable of luring the best from its in South Africa, like elsewhere, is not merely policy-driven; it is strategic theatre. The PA's presentation of Jacobs's defection was a textbook example of narrative manipulation, media exploitation, and timing. The move was less about resigning from the DA and more about rebranding his political image. This act of political theatre was designed to win the optics war and shift public discourse in the PA's favour. Rather than a traditional press release, the livestream announcement created drama and spectacle. The calculated use of symbolism, party colours, and public display redefined the terrain of defection as performance. The timing was masterful—aligned with Youth Day, the moment resonated with generational symbolism and highlighted the PA's appeal to younger voters. Outmanoeuvring political opponents involves strategic deception, calculated exposure, and seizing narrative control. Jacobs's surprise appearance placed the DA on the defensive, enhancing the PA's image as a tactically agile force. This was more than recruitment; it was symbolic conquest. The PA not only gained a voice; it gained validation and attention. Such moves are not merely acts of addition but of transformation. They may shift voter psychology, attract floating constituencies, and redefine political branding. Politics, ultimately, is about winning, gaining ground, disrupting opponents, and capturing the public imagination. Jacobs's defection did all three. More than individual repositioning, Jacobs's crossover signals a broader strategy: expanding the PA's support base among Coloured voters, particularly the youth. The DA has historically dominated this demographic, especially in the Western Cape, where Coloured South Africans make up 42.1% of the population. At its height in 2014, the DA secured 59.4% of the provincial vote. By 2024, this dropped to 55.3%. The PA, which had no presence in 2014, secured 7.8% in 2024. If the PA increases its share to 15–20%, the DA's majority could collapse. While symbolic events don't guarantee electoral gains, they catalyse momentum. Jacobs's defection could accelerate shifts in allegiance among young and disenchanted voters. Jacobs embodies the very electorate the PA is targeting: young, urban, Coloured voters who feel increasingly alienated by the DA's leadership and messaging. His move could serve as a tipping point for similar realignments across constituencies where the DA is vulnerable. It can be argued that Jacobs's defection qualifies as a coup. It was timed for maximum effect, targeted at a key demographic, and delivered in a format tailored to 21st-century political engagement. In undermining the DA's claim to youth-driven leadership renewal, the PA scored a decisive symbolic Jacobs's history of publicly challenging McKenzie in Parliament adds to the drama.
