Recent political developments in the governing party mean it cannot be business as usual for opposition parties, especially the DA. Cyril Ramaphosa's presidency has revived the ANC's political fortunes - and removed former president Jacob Zuma as a favourite target for opposition critics, which means the DA will have to dig deep to convince voters that it is a viable option. All that hard work rests squarely on the shoulders of party leader Mmusi Maimane.
Maimane will have to develop an effective election strategy, one that speaks to the needs of all South Africans, and convince them that the DA is capable of running an efficient government. To do so he will have to unite the DA's warring factions after next month's leadership elections - and stamp his authority to prove he is the real leader of the party.
But in doing so he must always be mindful of the line between party and state.
The DA has over the years been very vocal about the ANC's disdain for this simple rule. Whether it is for interference at the public broadcaster or meddling in state-owned enterprises, the DA has always correctly called out Luthuli House on this unacceptable behaviour. The DA also needs to be called out when it commits the same misdeeds.
Maimane's "intervention" in the Cape Town water crisis cannot be left unchallenged. He is not an elected official in the City of Town or the Western Cape government. His presence at a press conference to update the public about the water crisis proves he has a slim grasp of the concept of separation of powers.
He justified his actions by stating his unhappiness with the steps taken by the city. However, it is the competence of the provincial government, under premier Helen Zille, to make such an intervention. Maimane is repeating the same mistakes he pointed out on countless occasions under the Zuma government.
His actions do little to inspire confidence that under the DA leadership we would not experience the same interference that has ruined our SOEs. Maimane has ample platforms to show who is boss within his own party, but not in government...