By D.W.G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News
As South Africa's parliament convenes for the first time since the African National Congress (ANC) lost its majority in the recent elections, negotiations continue over the formation of a new government. The ANC announced a "breakthrough" in forming a government of national unity, but details remain undisclosed.
Hellen Zille, former leader of the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) and representative in the talks, warned that without an agreement, the DA would not support President Cyril Ramaphosa's re election. One of the parliament's primary tasks on Friday is a secret vote on Ramaphosa's presidency. Due to fire damage to the parliament complex two years ago, this session is being held in a Cape Town convention center.
High Stakes Negotiations for Government Formation
These proceedings are unprecedented, with the ANC lacking an outright majority and still in the process of forming a government. Zille mentioned that the two sides were very close to a deal, “At two am we thought we had a finalized agreement, but this morning a few issues have arisen and they’re just trying to sort them out.”
The ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in 30 years in the May 29 election, securing only 40% of the vote. This necessitates the support of other parties for Ramaphosa to retain power. ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula confirmed ongoing discussions with political parties but refrained from providing further details. He indicated a shift towards the political center, as left leaning breakaway ANC parties declined coalition offers.
The DA, which secured 22% of the vote, has agreed to form a government of national unity, but the specifics of their cooperation with the ANC remain unresolved. DA spokesman Mr. Malatsi acknowledged that key matters were still outstanding as of Thursday evening.
Coalition Dynamics and Challenges
The Zulu nationalist Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), which received 4% of the vote, has agreed to participate in a government of national unity. However, previous tensions between President Ramaphosa and the DA pose challenges, with Ramaphosa previously labeling the DA as "treasonous" and "reactionary."
Zille noted the difficulty of building trust between the ANC and DA, historical adversaries, within a short span of ten days. Any coalition with the DA may be unpopular among ANC activists, given the DA's free market stance, which contrasts with the ANC’s left wing traditions and is perceived by critics as favoring the white minority.
Despite billing the coalition as a Government of National Unity (GNU), the ANC failed to secure the participation of the third and fourth largest parties former President Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party and Julius Malema's Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). The MK party demanded Ramaphosa's resignation as a coalition condition, which the ANC rejected. MK MPs are boycotting the first parliament sitting, disputing the election results without providing evidence of fraud.
Malema declared that the EFF would not join a government including the DA, accusing it of furthering an "imperialist agenda." Both MK and EFF demanded constitutional changes for nationalization, including of white owned land and banks, which Ramaphosa opposed, vowing not to form a coalition with parties seeking constitutional amendments.
