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ANC NEC set to meet as coalition talks gain momentum

todayJune 6, 2024 47

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The African National Congress’ NEC is set to meet today to chart a way forward following consultations over forming a coalition government following the recent national and provincial elections.

The governing party failed to get the majority vote for the first time since the dawn of democracy.

Its leadership briefed the media yesterday, following a meeting of the party’s national working committee, where provincial premier candidates and considered coalition partners were top of the agenda.

The ANC says it has engaged with the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Democratic Alliance (DA), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), National Freedom Party (NFP) and Patriotic Alliance (PA) on forming a government of national unity.

Spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, said a decision was made to act in the interest of the country and its people.

Bhengu-Motsiri says the ANC has taken the position that they must listen to the citizens and work to build national consensus on the form of government that is best suited to move the country forward.

“The ANC is driven by the imperative to maintain national unity and stability and to put in place a government that will move with speed to tackle all the pressing socio-economic challenges our nation faces. We believe that despite any differences we may have, working together as South Africans, we can seize this moment to usher our country into a new era of hope.”

The ANC garnered 40.18% of the votes at the polls, nationally. It was followed by the DA at 21.81% and the MK with 14.58% of the votes.

“The results indicate that the South Africans want all parties to work together, because no party received an absolute majority to form a government alone at national level, in Gauteng and in KwaZuluNatal,” says Bhengu-Motsiri.

She says the EFF and the PA are willing to form part of the government of national unity.

Bhengu-Motsiri also revealed that the party has been reaching out to the MK Party for an engagement meeting, who have not responded to its request.

“Our door remains open as we continue to reach out to every party that is keen to contribute positively to moving our country forward.”

The ANC has also had engagements with its alliance partners, South African Communist Party (SACP), the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), and the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO), as part of the consultation process.

On the other hand, the SACP’s General Secretary, Solly Mapaila, says that they do not support any coalition with the DA.

β€œWe will not work with these forces; we will not support any idea to try and work with these forces.”

 

He says the SACP is seeking a coalition arrangement where the ANC can consolidate a minority government with some features of a government of national unity, but excluding the neoliberal forces led by the DA.

 

Meanwhile political analyst, Professor Dirk Kotze, says a government of national unity has previously been criticised as too large to be effective.

Kotze says such a model of governance is normally used during a time of crisis or transition as witnessed during South Africa’s first democratic dispensation.

South Africans have taken to twitter on the possible coalition(s) that we could see.

Written by: Nonhlanhla Harris

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