It is tempting to dismiss the DA's mismanagement of its election messaging this week as the logical development of a party process that started with the effective dismissal of its black leader, Mmusi Maimane, after the previous general election.
At the heart of the biggest political story of the week were two posters by the DA, reading: "The ANC called you racists" and "The DA calls you heroes".
This follows the killing of 36 people in what appears to be vigilante action in Phoenix, Durban, at the height of riots and looting in July.
Confronted with its patently racist posters, the DA defended them, but eventually apologised - a tad too late, some felt, and insincere given the initial justifications. Others felt the DA should have been allowed to remain on its well-defined racist path.
What is tragic about the DA's gaffes is that it is SA's second-biggest political party - one that, for reasons yet unclear, has abrogated its responsibility to hold the ANC accountable.
In most democracies, the official opposition keeps the ruling party on its toes, using every opportunity to demonstrate how it could lead the country better.
Not the DA.
Instead of demonstrating to SA that it is ready to govern, the DA, through a number of scandals, has shown it is far from ready.
The Phoenix saga reveals how it either has no comprehensive understanding of the country's racist past or, worse, isn't bothered about the need to demonstrate mature, reconciliation-centred leadership.
A DA in turmoil is not a disincentive for the ANC's unbridled arrogance, corruption and incompetence.
The race challenges facing the DA are not just about the party - they reflect how imperilled our democracy is.
Given our troubled racial past, the importance of a political leadership cohort that acts with utmost circumspection cannot be overemphasised.
SA is crying out for mature, inclusive leadership - not one that uses our wounds to score brownie points ahead of elections.
To fix the country, South Africans must not only punish a poorly performing ANC; they must also show the DA that its racist actions attract consequences through a loss of voter support.
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