Written by Elizabeth Adundo, Kenya
South Africa is at a crossroads. The recent parliamentary election shows that no single party holds the majority of seats. Both the ANC and the DA need allies to form a coalition in order to implement their presidential and legislative plans for the country. To achieve a heavy majority, the ANC can team up with the EFF and former President Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party. However, one major stumbling block to this approach is the issue of land expropriation. The EFF supports land expropriation without compensation, while the ANC has promised a more moderate approach, such as expropriation in the public interest. Alternatively, the ANC could form a Government of National Unity (GNU) with the inclusion of other parties, such as the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) or the Good Party. President Cyril Ramaphosa is reportedly open to entering into a coalition with the DA despite their policy differences
The situation in South Africa sees the ANC and DA at odds in terms of their policies on various key issues such as creating a welfare state, national health service, black empowerment policies, and the free market. The DA strongly opposes many of the ANC’s initiatives, and ANC chairman Gwede Mantashe has indicated that the ANC’s black empowerment policies are non-negotiable, suggesting that he has ruled out a coalition with the DA. Despite this, there are indications in the local media that President Ramaphosa is willing to enter into a coalition with the DA, believing that their policy differences could be overcome.
The formation of a Government of National Unity (GNU) could also be an option, involving other parties, such as the mainly black Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the Good party, to overcome racial sensitivities and form a more inclusive government.
These developments illustrate the complexities and the need for negotiation and compromise in forming a coalition government in South Africa.
The historical context of the Government of National Unity from 1994 to 1997, under the leadership of Nelson Mandela, provides an example of a multi-party coalition to govern the country, which could offer insights into potential future options and strategies for building a coalition.
Given the complex and evolving nature of the situation, it will be important to stay updated on the developments as the parties continue to consider their options and negotiate the formation of the next government.
The political landscape in South Africa is complex as different parties consider their options for forming a coalition government. The ANC faces the potential option of forming a coalition with MK, a party that secured a significant portion of the vote in the recent election. The ANC and EFF together are just short of a parliamentary majority, so they may need to bring in another smaller party to form a coalition government.
The EFF, which also supports land expropriation without compensation, has expressed a willingness to work with the ANC in a coalition government, but has made it clear that their demand for land expropriation is a crucial principle and they would not join the government if the ANC rejects it.
Despite these intricacies, the DA has strongly opposed a coalition involving the ANC, EFF, and MK, labeling it a “Doomsday Coalition” and warning of potential ethnic and racial conflict. The DA advocates for an ANC-DA coalition, which it believes would provide economic stability and prevent capital flight.
As the parties continue to consider their options, it remains unclear how the government will be formed. However, with the anticipation of the parliament convening in the near future, there is a hope among many South Africans for at least an outline deal on what the next government will look like.
This ongoing process highlights the complexity and the need for negotiation and compromise in forming a coalition government in South Africa. It will be important to stay updated on the developments as the parties navigate their options and seek to form a government that represents the interests of the nation.