By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
Inkatha Freedom Party leader Velenkosini Hlabisa announced that his party has agreed to join a national unity government with the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance ,During a press briefing in Durban on Wednesday, Hlabisa stated, "The only options were to become part of the government, or part of the opposition." He emphasized that South Africans have called for political unity.
This development marks the first official confirmation of a national unity government, although the DA and ANC have yet to comment. Following last month's elections, the ANC, having lost its majority for the first time since 1994, seeks coalition partners. The ANC received around 40% of the vote, with the DA at 22%, the MK party at 15%, and the Economic Freedom Fighters at 9%. The IFP, with a strong Zulu base, secured about 4%.
The new parliament is set to be sworn in on Friday, and the ANC aims to finalize a coalition deal by then, insisting on Cyril Ramaphosa's leadership. The ANC had previously engaged all opposition parties for a unity government. Many ANC activists favor a coalition with the EFF and MK, both led by former ANC officials. However, these parties' radical policies, such as land seizures and mine nationalization, concern investors. The business community supports an ANC DA coalition, and including the IFP might mitigate criticism of the ANC for collaborating with the DA.
Despite differing views, the IFP is committed to joining the unity government to ensure stability and address national challenges. Hlabisa reassured supporters that the IFP would maintain its identity, drawing on their coalition experience from the historic 1994 elections when the ANC collaborated with the National Party and the IFP to end apartheid.