Cape Town — As political parties scramble to find coalition partners to get into power, talks are now reminiscent of the Congress for a Democratic South Africa (Codesa) and the 1993 Multi-Party Negotiating Forum.
In 1993, as South African prepared for its first democratic vote, Codesa failed twice before finally reaching an agreement to progress South Africa’s political transition. This time, the newly-elected electoral represenatatives have just two weeks to come to an agreement to select a new president and parilament speaker, The Citizen reported.
The similarity between 1994 and 2024 is that the ultimatrte goal was to save South Africa. Howeverm this time around, South Africans will have to rely on a coalition government for the first time.
There is a possibility that the African National Congress (ANC) enters coalition talks with the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA). Party leaders, Cyril Ramaphosa and John Steenhuisen, agreed that both parties should work together in the interests of the country.
Former DA leader, Tony Leon, who is part of the DA’s coalition team, said that at Codesa, a deal was reached at the last minute and that at the time, there were less parties involved.
The CODESA generation will NEVER hand over power to any generation within & outside the ANC. Roelf Meyer, Tony Leon & their generation are back to consolidate a “Government of National Unity” between the ANC & DA.Our generation must reject this & usher a post CODESA coalition. pic.twitter.com/tqTpilF14c
— Magasela Mzobe (@MagaselaMzobe) June 3, 2024
He praised Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk’s negotiating skills and said there was a strong sense of support behind them. While the main negotiators were the ANC and former National Party, this time, there are a lot more smaller parties involved in the discussions.
According to United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader, Bantu Holomisa, was also invovled in Codesa negotiations, said the main issues to address is corruption, lack of service delivery and a failing economy.
He said there needs to be a change in previous ideologies and configurations that did not work, and those in power should not put family or friends in powerful positions.
“If the DA’s Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis becomes minister of finance tomorrow, nobody will question that. But if someone’s cousin, uncle or friend is installed as yet another party puppet, we can head for disaster again,” he said.
Holomisa added that South Africa needs a government of national unity and one that will show citizens that politics can be put aside to work towards a common goal.
Would a true Government of National Unity not be more palatable?
All parties committed to the constitution to have a seat at the table.
ANC, DA, IFP, ActionSA, BOSA, RISE Mzansi… https://t.co/E84nS6dYtt
— Louise van Rhyn #RISEMzansi #Ubuntu #ProudMatie (@louisevanrhyn) June 4, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
