Rédaction Africa Links 24 with William Gumede
Published on 2024-02-27 17:08:13
Coalition governments have been a topic of contention in South Africa, with fears that they may bring instability, paralysis, and service delivery failures. However, this skepticism is misplaced. In fact, coalition governments may be more suitable for South Africa, given its diverse population.
Coalition governments are a prominent form of governance in more than 40 countries worldwide. Since the end of colonialism, they have been the most successful form of government in Africa’s modern history. Countries like Mauritius and Cape Verde, which have been extensively governed by coalitions, have seen peacefulness, economic prosperity, and inclusivity. On the other hand, countries in Africa governed by dominant liberation movements, military regimes, religious governments, or single-leader dictatorships have experienced catastrophic failures leading to state collapse, civil wars, and corruption.
Coalition governments can be formed when no party secures a majority or when one party includes losing parties in a government of national unity. They can also be established pre-election or post-election. Former South African President Nelson Mandela presided over a successful GNU after the 1994 elections, including all major opposition parties in the government. Similarly, Zimbabwe had successful GNU periods in 1980-1982 and 2009-2013, which were the most peaceful in the country’s post-independence history.
Coalition governance is particularly beneficial in diverse societies, low-trust environments, and countries recovering from conflicts. It allows for greater participation of minorities, caters to the interests of all groups, and promotes policy adoption for marginalized constituencies. Successful coalition governance fosters trust-building across political, racial, and class divides, leading to more peaceful societies.
In mature democracies like Germany, Switzerland, and Finland, coalition governments have produced stability, prosperity, and rapid industrialization. Germany saw economic growth, reduced unemployment, and booming exports under coalitions. In Switzerland, parties with disparate ideologies have governed together since 1959. Even countries with strong ideological differences, like Israel and Brazil, have formed successful coalitions to achieve common goals.
In South Africa, the failure of many coalitions is not due to the form of governance itself but to the lack of compromises, leadership maturity, and effective conflict resolution mechanisms within the coalitions. Many coalitions focus on allocating government positions and contracts rather than developing a shared policy platform. This leads to silos within the government, hindering service delivery.
To improve the success of coalition governments in South Africa, parties must prioritize the greater good of public service delivery over individual interests. They need to build conflict resolution mechanisms, adopt a collective policy programme, and transparently communicate coalition policies to their constituencies. Opposition leaders should not undermine coalition governments for political gain but should support effective governance for the benefit of all South Africans.
Ultimately, coalition governance has the potential to be a successful and inclusive form of governance for South Africa. By nurturing relationships, fostering trust, and prioritizing the needs of all citizens, coalition governments can lead to peace, prosperity, and effective service delivery in a diverse society like South Africa.
Read the original article on Daily Maverick
