Democratic Alliance takes the lead in formation of historic South African coalition

Statement by Olivier Kamitatu (ALN President)
Africa’s largest political affiliation, the Africa Liberal Network, congratulates the Democratic Alliance on the crucial steps it has taken to lead the way in the formation of a multi-party coalition agreement across numerous hung municipalities in South Africa.
Following the August 3^rd Local Government Elections, this coalition agreement of five political parties is a pivotal moment in South Africa’s democratic development. Led by Mmusi Maimane, the DA has taken a positive step forward in the direction of good governance for all South Africans. Maimane has led the way in a decision which empowers the millions of South Africans who clearly voted for change in the country, especially in the vital metropolitan municipalities of Tshwane and Nelson Mandela Bay, which include the cities of Pretoria and Port Elizabeth respectively.
“We are proud to announce that we have entered into arrangements to bring together a broad coalition of the Congress of the People (COPE), African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), Freedom Front+ (FF+) and United Democratic Movement (UDM),” said Maimane.
Crucially, the national governing party, the African National Congress (ANC), does not hold an absolute majority of seats in the City of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni. The possibility of a minority government led by the DA is therefore one that remains.
According to the leader of the DA:
“The framework of our agreement is that we put the people ahead of political interests, so we can ensure that we: create an environment that facilitates the attraction of investment, the creation of jobs and economic growth; the delivery of basic services to communities that still live under the most deplorable of conditions and; that we eliminate corruption so that resources are put behind service delivery and the running a government for the people.”
The Africa Liberal Network is proud of the example set by the Democratic Alliance for all liberals and democrats across Africa. By putting the interests of citizens first, the DA is ensuring that South Africans receive good, clean governance and excellence in service delivery. It is through adopting examples such as this that Africa’s democracies will develop and flourish for the benefit of all its people.
Media enquiries:
Luke Akal (ALN Coordinator)
+27 (0)81 4813754