Hartford: Gayton McKenzie’s Patriotic Alliance surge in Paarl signals coloured political awakening

Key topics:

• The PA's win in Paarl over the DA marks a potential realignment in South Africa's race-based political landscape, as Gayton McKenzie positions his party as the authentic voice of the historically marginalised coloured community.

• McKenzie’s growing support—bolstered by his charisma, populist messaging, and focus on coloured identity—suggests he may succeed in uniting a group often seen as politically fragmented and alienated.

• If the PA continues its momentum, it could reshape “non-racialism” into a new political compact based on genuine multi-racial alliances, contrasting the ANC's symbolic inclusion with practical race-based representation.

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By Dirk Hartford