DA Chameleon

CHANGING COLOURS: The DA has changed many times in name and format since liberals from the United Party (UP) broke away to form the Progressive Party (PP) in 1959. Through alliances and mergers, they've managed to perpetually remain the official opposition to government - except for two brief stints when toppled by the Conservative Party (in 1987) and the National Party (in 1994). The PP became the Progressive Federal Party (PFP) in 1977, the Democratic Party (DA) in 1989 and the Democratic Alliance (DA) in 2000. But for it to make any challenge to the ruling party, the party needs to change in colour too, a process which has now begun with the appointment of Lindiwe Mazibuko as parliamentary leader.