Cape Town – DA leader John Steenhuisen is set to reveal details about a united opposition pact aimed at removing the African National Congress (ANC) from power and preventing the EFF from gaining influence.
Seven opposition parties have reached enough common ground through meetings to organise a national convention.
Established parties like the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus), and National Freedom Party (NFP) have committed to joining the pact, along with newcomers ActionSA, United Independent Party (UIP), and Spectrum National Party (SNP).
The DA, which has a fifth of the seats in Parliament, is in the forefront of the plan.
The initiative does not include the third largest party, the EFF.
The leaders of the seven parties will hold what they dubbed “historic” talks on August 16 and 17 in Johannesburg to map out “a common vision for a new government”.
The ANC which has been in power for nearly three decades, is facing growing discontent fuelled by a sickly economy, entrenched unemployment, worsening inequality and an electricity crisis.
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It suffered record losses in the 2021 municipal elections, the first time in the democratic era its support dipped below half of ballots cast nationally.
Next year’s ballot is for the National Assembly, where the majority party also usually chooses the president.
“The 2024 election presents an unprecedented opportunity for the people of South Africa to elect a new government that can steer our country out of the multiple crises it faces,” the parties said in a joint statement.
“For the very first time since 1994, the incumbent governing party is set to lose its majority when voters go to the polls next year.”
According to EWN, Steenhuisen emphasised the need for mature leaders who can set aside past differences and focus on presenting a compelling offer to the South African public.
Steenhuisen said: “The country is in too much of a disastrous state to worry about the petty differences and the things that may not unite us, and the things that may have divided us in the past,” Steenhuisen said.
“I think South Africans across the board are looking for mature leaders who are able to set aside whatever those faribels and disagreements in the past have been and focus on putting together a compelling offer.”
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
