Cape Town — Many African National Congress (ANC) veterans and stalwarts, including Thabo Mbeki, are reportedly in favour of a coalition with the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).
This comes after the ANC lost its majority rule after the 2024 general elections, only securing 159 out of the 400 seats available in parliament. The DA were 2nd with 87 seats, and the newly-formed uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party secured 58 seats.
According to The Citizen, several anonymous sources said the veterans favoured a coalition with the DA, while there were some who also favoured one that included the IFP with it. The stalwarts include former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe, and former cabinet ministers, Pallo Jordan, and Mavuso Msimang.
They had been concerned about the ANC’s derailment from its moral path, including its involvement in state corruption and want to save the party from its radical path and restore it to its moderate path.
“There is fear that some ANC leaders want to push the ANC towards radicalism by forming a coalition with the EFF [Economic Freedom Fighters] and to even bring back Jacob Zuma.” the source said.
Coalition Options for the ANC 🤔 What’s your take? pic.twitter.com/jlz9XvGLg1
— 𝗢𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀𝗲 𝗠𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗲 🔥🚀 (@unclescrooch) June 3, 2024
The ANC stalwarts plan to take Ramaphosa under their wing, which they hope will save him from imminent removal, after some party members suggest he be sacrificed.
The ANC radicals are suggested Ramaphosa be replaced by deputy president, Paul Mashatile, as they prefer a coalition with the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) and the EFF. The veterans believe a coalition with the DA and IFP will set the party back towards its moderate path.
The envisaged ANC-DA-IFP coalition is meant to keep the ANC on a moderate path and win the confidence of the markets and international investors. The new government will combine the governance expertise of the DA and the experience of the ANC.
According to EWN, political analysts have also weighed in on the ANC’s current political standing. Independent analyst Ralph Mathekga considers what working with the DA means.
“It’s not far-fetched. I mean the DA has already made a bold and very interesting move that it’s willing to work with the ANC, if that means the ANC can be saved, the way in which the DA sees it.” Mathekga said.
🔴DA/ANC COALITION ?🔴” I can never support a DA/ANC coalition..Never! It will be the ultimate betrayal of all those martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice..& layed down their lives for freedom..” – Former Anti-Apartheid Activist and ANC Chief Whip Tony Yengeni #electionresults pic.twitter.com/VcyogEFrtc
— Central News (@centralnewsza) June 2, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
