Leader of the Good Movement Patricia De Lille has denied that opening a new political movement is about settling political scores with her previous party the Democratic Alliance (DA).

De Lille recently launched her Party, GOOD, in Johannesburg following her acrimonious resignation as Cape Town mayor and member of the DA. 

“People have political rights. You can belong to the political party of your choice. This is nothing about the DA. The DA, as far as I am concerned, is history. That was a difficult phase of my life­ – for two years I was in an abusive relationship. People across the country witnessed the abuse. I walked away from that abuse,” said De Lille in an exclusive interview with Polity.

She added that other DA councillors have since resigned because of the “unfairness” but she reiterated that on principle launching her movement was not to disrupt the DA.

De Lille said an Ipsos survey revealed that there were many good South Africans who were still not convinced by the political parties in South Africa.

“I am looking for good South Africans to join us in an effort to resuscitate our country,” said De Lille.

The former Cape Town mayor explained that the name GOOD was a simple authentic name and added that her party was going to change politics as usual.

“It is a rallying call to good South Africans to resuscitate the project of optimism and reconciliation. GOOD is a movement that upholds the Constitution, that fights corruption, that wants to stamp out racism and that cares about people. We want to give South Africans hope again.

“We believe that if good people do nothing that is when evil and corruption and all the ills in our society triumph. The attempt is to find the good people. We are looking for young men and women, experienced and of all races to come forward and lead our country,” said De Lille.

She said her party were guided by the principles of truth, trust, solidarity and service.

De Lille expressed gratitude for the overwhelming response since her announcement of GOOD which she says is going to contest the 2019 elections in all provinces.

A detailed policy position and the party’s 2019 election manifesto will be revealed in January when it launches its campaign and announces its Premier candidates.

Responding to whether her party will be open to entering into coalitions with other political parties after the 2019 elections, De Lille said coalitions have become part of the fabric of our democracy.

“As the movement for GOOD, after the elections if there is a need, where no party has received an outright majority, we will be prepared to talk to all parties,” she concluded.

Audio interview Attached.