On the 27th of March 2021,he was elected as the Chairperson of the Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal. [4] During this time,he negotiated the signing of the DA-Inkatha Freedom Party Service Delivery Pact in July 2023 to improve service delivery in hung municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal which formed the basis for the negotiations of the Government of Provincial Unity in KwaZulu-Natal following the 2024 national elections. [4]
2021 municipal elections
On 7 October 2021,Macpherson issued a statement apologising and explaining his role in the controversial creation and placement of "racist" posters ahead of South Africa's 2021 Local Government Election. [8] [9] [10]
The two posters read in order "The ANC called you racists" and "The DA calls you heroes" and were erected in Phoenix,KwaZulu-Natal. Phoenix was a hotspot for violence and racial tension during the 2021 South African unrest with 36 people losing their lives during looting and acts of vigilantism that was largely based on racial profiling. [11] [12] [13] [14]
Ntwenhle Mhlongo,the mother of Sanele Mngomezulu,one of the victims who was killed in Phoenix,said they felt insulted by the DA's campaign in an interview with Radio 702:
"As one of the Phoenix massacre victims,we feel so insulted by what the DA is saying... How can you call someone a hero,someone who just murdered someone in cold blood,who had no weapon?" [15] "As far as I know,a hero is someone who is saving the world,who is saving someone,who is protecting someone. How can you call a murderer a hero?" [16]
In his statement,Macpherson admitted the posters were "unsanctioned" by the DA's leadership or party structures and arranged for the removal of the posters. [8] He apologized for his role in the controversy by saying "...the posters have regretfully caused hurt to some people. I am deeply sorry and apologise for this." [8]
