Another Chapter in the Politicians’ Game – When Will Voters Say Enough?
Founder & Editor, Cape Coast News – George April
The news hit social media like a veld fire: Charmaine Loubser, the former Deputy Mayor of Saldanha Bay Municipality and a long-time DA representative for Ward 6 (Langebaan), has reportedly crossed the floor to join the Patriotic Alliance (PA).
Picture – Social Media
Posts, shares, videos, and heated debates exploded online almost overnight. For many, it’s the latest “big switch” in Western Cape politics, suddenly positioning the PA as a fresh hope or a bold alternative for frustrated communities.
#ButLet’sPauseAndAskTheRealQuestion:
Why does this kind of drama only grab headlines when votes are on the line, or when someone jumps ship for a better seat at the table?
Ordinary people in Malmesbury, Vredenburg, Langebaan, Hopefield, and across the West Coast deal with the same daily grind: potholes that swallow tyres, water outages that disrupt lives, unemployment that hits families hard, crime that keeps doors locked at night, and service delivery promises that evaporate after election season.
#WhereAreThesePoliticiansThen?
Not on the ground, not in the WhatsApp groups complaining about broken infrastructure, not consistently visible when the cameras are off.
After the 2024 national elections, and even in the run-up to the next municipal polls (likely 2027,) the pattern repeats. Politicians disappear into boardrooms and campaign buses, only to reappear with dramatic announcements: new parties, new alliances, new “saviours.” Floor-crossing isn’t new; it’s a symptom of a broken system where loyalty seems to shift with personal ambition rather than community needs.
Charmaine Loubser’s move is just the latest example. As Deputy Mayor under the DA-led coalition, she was part of the executive pushing (or at least overseeing) infrastructure, planning, and community services in Saldanha Bay, one of the fastest-growing areas on the West Coast. Now, viral clips show her in PA colours, promising change. Social media lights up with excitement from some quarters: “Finally, a real voice for the people!”
But for others, it’s déjà vu. We’ve seen this movie before, new face, same script: big promises during the “season,” silence when the hard work of governance begins.
In my own community here in Hopefield and across the West Coast, I ask the same thing I’ve asked before: Which political leader has been consistently present, rain or shine, addressing our everyday struggles?
Not just showing up for photo ops or when a viral moment beckons, but rolling up sleeves year-round to fix what’s broken?
This isn’t about bashing one party or person, it’s about the cycle that traps us all. Voters get excited by the drama, share the posts, argue in comments, and then… nothing changes.
#BrainWashed?
Maybe not intentionally, but repeatedly sold the illusion that swapping jerseys will magically deliver better services, jobs, and safety.
The Western Cape deserves more than viral floor-crossing spectacles. We need leaders accountable every day, not just when social media trends or election bells ring. Real accountability means showing up in ward meetings, fixing potholes before they become memes, ensuring water flows reliably, and creating opportunities that last beyond a news cycle.
To the people of Saldanha Bay, the West Coast, and the entire province: Let’s stop falling for the same tricks. Demand more. Hold every councillor, mayor, and party to the fire, regardless of their new badge.
Share your stories of daily struggles here on Cape Coast News. Let’s make our voices louder than any viral post.
The power isn’t in the party switch; it’s in the people who finally say: Enough. We’re watching, and we’re not fooled anymore.
#WhatDoYouThink-Readers?
Has this floor-crossing changed anything for your community, or is it more of the same? Drop your thoughts in the comments in the “Contact Us” form online, we want to hear from Malmesbury to Manenberg to Upington and everywhere in between.
🇿🇦 #WestCoastVoices #PoliticalAccountability #SaldanhaBay #NoMoreDrama #CapeCoastNews
