Cape Town — African National Congress (ANC) NEC and Social Development Minister, Lindiwe Zulu, has criticised the media for reporting on a survey suggesting that South Africa is likely to have a coalition government.
Zulu told SABC News that she does not like that the media is pushing the narrative of a move to a coalition, and that the governing ANC does not support the idea of coalitions.
“The media is kind of directing us to something called coalitions. The media obviously has the power to pick up on issues and on topics. I just find it a bit like you’re focusing so much on the coalitions, you can see what coalitions are causing in our communities, they don’t agree on issues, they fight and all that,” Zulu said.
In a poll conducted by the Brenthurst Foundation found interest in the the multi-party coalition between the Democratic Alliance (DA), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), ActionSA, Freedom Front Plus (FF+) and the United Independent Movement (UIM) which combines their votes.
She added that she did not understand why people can’t be allowed to make their choices, but says the narrative should not be pushed into a coalition.
“They don’t work, hey they create confusion, we don’t agree and as ANC we experienced it forced by circumstance but it doesn’t work,” she added.
Zulu also claimed it was merely speculation that the findings showing a decline in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s favourability from 48% to 42% is merely speculation.
“I just feel like it’s not about the media, every time I listen to radio or read in the newspapers I feel like the media is deciding it must influence things. On top of it all we are talking about the president losing ratings at 41%, it’s like you’re trying to get rid of the ANC to have somebody else.”
Zulu attended a school in Paarl where she was engaging with young students, both boys and girls, to speak about issues such as teengage pregnancies ahead of the ANC’s pre-SONA engagements, which is set to take place in Cape Town on Thursday 8 February.
The message was that schools and communities must work together to make sure that children remain in school. She acknowledges that there may be children who may not be able to attend school because of multiple socio-economic conditions.
Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu arrives at Ihlumelo Junior Secondary School in Mbekweni, Paarl to engage young boys and girls on the issues of teenage pregnancy. Minister’s visit forms part of the week-long pre SONA engagements taking place in the City of Cape Town. pic.twitter.com/7sBJegqOal
— Social Development (@The_DSD) February 6, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
