Political analyst quells fears on ANC-DA coalition

Political Analyst, Goodenough Mashego, has tried to quell concerns on the ANC going into bed with the DA.

The ANC has come under fire from various quarters, including its alliance partners, following its revelation that it was in talks with various parties, including the DA, in a bid to formulate the 7th administration.

The country will for the first time be administered by a coalition government after the ANC received an underwhelming 40% at the national polls, losing its outright majority.

The DA’s stance on the minimum wage and BEE are among the concerns raised.

Mashego says an honest conversation needs to be had on the minimum wage ACT on its effectiveness.

Mashego says the ANC’s pro-capitalistic stance is mitigated by its tripartite alliance partners, the SACP and COSATU.

However he warns, the ANC can easily become a right-wing party, while also highlighting how the Marikana mine workers wouldn’t have been killed in the 2012 massacre for demanding better wages – had it not been the case.

Considering concerns on the DA’s foreign policy, Mashego says the party will have to understand that Africa does not operate in accordance with western policies.

The ANC’s alliance partner, the SACP, however, believes the DA and MK Party are not suitable governance partners for the ANC.

SACP’s secretary general, Solly Mapaila, took a swipe at the DA’s multi-party charter saying its roots can be traced back to an era of the apartheid oppression of the black majority.

Mapaila says any coalition that seeks to weaken liberation forces will not be supported.

Economist, Sifiso Sikenjani, agrees and says a coalition between the ANC and the DA would not benefit the economy or workers in the country.