South Africa’s political scene got another jolt this weekend when Liam Jacobs, a rising star in the Democratic Alliance (DA), suddenly jumped ship to the Patriotic Alliance (PA).
For many, it was an unexpected move—especially considering Jacobs had only recently criticized the PA’s leadership in Parliament.
But for Herman Mashaba, former DA heavyweight turned ActionSA leader, it was business as usual.
Herman Mashaba Says He’s Not Surprised
Herman Mashaba didn’t miss a beat reacting to the news of Jacobs’s defection.
While the country buzzed with speculation, Mashaba made it clear he wasn’t caught off guard.
In a post on social media, Mashaba responded to a clip of Jacobs accusing the DA of sidelining coloured leaders despite winning their vote.
Mashaba’s response? A simple “I’m not surprised.”
He didn’t stop there. When the DA claimed on social media that it hadn’t received an official resignation letter from Jacobs, Mashaba shot back with a sharp reply: “They must just move on. The train has left the station.”
A Familiar Story of Political Frustration
Mashaba’s calm reaction makes sense if you know his history.
Back in 2019, he made headlines himself when he resigned as mayor of Johannesburg and left the DA altogether.
His exit, like Jacobs’s, was triggered by ongoing racial tensions within the party.
At the time, Mashaba stated he could no longer work with people who didn’t acknowledge race as a key factor in South Africa’s poverty and inequality.
His words were blunt: “I cannot reconcile myself with people who believe that race is irrelevant.”
Liam Jacobs’s Political U-Turn Raises Eyebrows
Jacobs’s leap to the PA caught many off guard not just because of his youth and rising status in the DA, but also because of the timing.
He had recently criticized PA leader Gayton McKenzie in a parliamentary committee, making his new allegiance all the more puzzling to political watchers.
While some questioned his integrity, others—like Mashaba—saw it as a reflection of a bigger problem in South African politics, especially within the DA.
Phumzile van Damme Offers Support
Another former DA leader, Phumzile van Damme, also weighed in.
Unlike Mashaba’s stern tone, she offered a supportive message to Jacobs.
On X (formerly Twitter), she wrote, “All of the best at your new political home.
You owe no one your life or its decisions.”
She went on to emphasize that her care wasn’t about party loyalty, but about supporting young leaders navigating politics: “I don’t care which party you belong to. I care for all young MPs.”
Van Damme herself left the DA in 2021, citing internal cliques and personal friction rather than outright racism.
Even then, she chose to keep details minimal, suggesting she didn’t want to harm those still in the party.
More Than Just Party Politics?
At its core, the Liam Jacobs defection shines a light on a deeper, unresolved issue within the DA: how it handles race, representation, and internal diversity.
With former members like Mashaba and Van Damme calling attention to these same themes, Jacobs’s move might be less of a shock—and more of a pattern.