Trans advocate Brent Janse van Vuuren calls out the Democratic Alliance (DA) for failing to speak out against its Federal Council Chairperson, Helen Zille, for her recent anti-trans statements.
Helen Zille loves to call herself the DA’s “rottweiler.” She wears it like a badge of honour – tough, relentless, unafraid to sink her teeth into anyone who crosses her. But here’s the problem: when it comes to calling out her own bigotry, the Democratic Alliance is suddenly toothless. Spineless, even.
She recently showed up on a Showmax comedy roast, laughing along as comedians poked fun at her long and controversial career. PR gold, right? The “strong” woman taking it on the chin, proving she can laugh at herself. But while Zille’s out here scoring points for being a “good sport,” no one’s roasting her for what really matters – her dangerous, misinformed, and blatantly transphobic views.
And that roast should’ve come from her own party.
Let’s Get Real: Her Comments Were Not “Opinions”, They Were Attacks
Less than a month ago, Helen Zille didn’t just dip her toe into the anti-trans pool, she dove in head first. On X, she called the fight for trans rights a “contagion as dangerous as Covid.” Yes, you read that right. She compared a marginalised group of people to a global pandemic.
Then she doubled down on Facebook, parroting talking points that have been widely debunked and discredited, including the dangerous idea that trans identity in youth is a kind of “social contagion.” She aligned herself fully with JK Rowling’s crusade against trans rights, signalling that she sees this bigotry not only as valid but as brave.
She might think she’s being bold. But there’s nothing bold about punching down.
The Silence is Deafening: Where is the DA?
You’d think the country’s biggest opposition party, one that marched at [Cape Town] Pride this year under a banner proclaiming support for the LGBTQIA+ community would have something to say. Maybe a press release. A tweet. A murmur of discomfort, at least.
Instead? Crickets.
Not a word from the DA. Not from their leadership. Not from their so-called Rainbow Alliance. Their prized “rottweiler” is out here attacking one of the most vulnerable communities in South Africa, and the party can’t even raise a whimper.
You can’t claim to stand for human rights if you only speak up when it’s politically convenient. You can’t wave a rainbow flag in March, then look the other way in May when one of your own leaders sets it on fire.
What Does This Say About the DA?
It says a lot.
It says that when it really counts, when leadership, values, and courage are needed the DA retreats. It hides behind silence. It lets Helen Zille say the quiet parts out loud because she brings in votes, headlines, and controversy.
But that kind of silence is complicity. And complicity, in the face of hate, is cowardice.
Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia. Around the world, people are standing up and speaking out. But here at home, South Africa’s main opposition party is missing in action.
Here’s the Roast Helen Zille Actually Deserves
Not the one with jokes and champagne. The one that calls out how dangerous her rhetoric is. The one that holds her accountable for platforming hate. The one that demands a political party be as bold in defending the rights of ALL South Africans as they are in attacking their opponents in Parliament.
The DA loves to critique the ANC. But if you can’t clean your own house, you have no business judging your neighbour’s.
Helen Zille isn’t just the DA’s rottweiler. She’s a liability. And the longer the DA stays silent, the clearer it becomes: the real problem isn’t just Helen. It’s the party that refuses to bite back.
Brent Janse van Vuuren is a South African transgender man and trans rights advocate. He uses his voice to challenge harmful narratives while advocating for dignity, inclusion, and human rights.
