KEITH GOTTSCHALK|

TONY Leon is the most prolific of all former leaders of the Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa’s main opposition party, as befits the chair of a communications company.

In his latest and fifth book, Future Tense: Reflections on my Troubled Land, he comes across as articulate and persuasive.

The Democratic Alliance has, ever since its original founding as the Progressive Party in 1959, opposed injustices committed by the apartheid government. Today, its support is overwhelmingly from demographic minorities. Its current challenges include ensuring black people are more visible among its top leadership.

Recent turmoil included veteran party leader Helen Zille propelling Mmusi Maimane into the leadership of the party. The other was Tony Leon’s role in pressuring Maimane to resign after a series of DA tactical errors culminated in electoral losses in 2019.

See what others are saying about this article on twitter.

The new and