Yires share coalition formations of their choice

South African expat social and political activist, Hayley Reichert, says the majority of people have woken up to realise that change is possible, and the country deserves better leadership.

All eyes are on the political parties as South Africans wait with bated breath to see the formation of the 7th administration.

The country will for the first time in the dawn of democracy be administered by a coalition government.

Parties have 14 days from today to form a government as coalition talks simmer following the declaration of the 2024 national and provincial elections.

Reichert says she hopes parties will do what is best for the people and not themselves.

While many experts have a endorsed an ANC and DA coalition, Reichert says how they negotiate their way forward will be critical for the future of both parties.

Some young people say a coalition government is a viable option and will allow politicians to work out their differences.

“Maybe a division of powers is best to keep each other in check unless it breaks into a civil war.”

One young person says she would like to see a coalition made of the ANC, EFF and MK Party because their policies address the needs of the majority of South Africans.

“The policies of the DA and all its right-wing allies speaks to the minority,” she says.

After months and months of planning and court challenges, the IEC has conceded that the 2024 polls have been the most difficult and highly contested poll since 1994.

At least 16.2 million South Africans went out to vote in the 2024 polls, translating to a 58% voter turnout, a drop from the 66% recorded in 2019.

CEO and founder Ground Work Collective, Mbali Ntuli, says the voter turnout is enough evidence that the country fell shy of adequate voter education.

She says after 30 years of democracy, there should be an overwhelming desire for people to want to participate in elections.

And as negotiations gain momentum, the leader of the Freedom Front Plus, Dr Pieter Groenewald, says a coalition government with EFF and MK Party will not happen under their watch.

He says they are prepared to give their votes to parties that will prevent a MK and EFF from governing.

The DA says it’s appointed a team of senior members of the party to discuss how they and other parties will work in coalitions at national and provincial level.

DA leader, John Steenhuisen, says the party already has a plan on how they will negotiate.

ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula, says the party’s decline in these elections has sent a strong message to the ANC.

He says the party has heard the frustration of South Africans.

ANC affiliate, Cosatu says it will be meeting with the ANC in the coming days to discuss its possible coalition partners.

Cosatu’s Matthew Parks says whoever the ANC decides to go to bed with, must align with the governing party’s principles.