Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Velani Ludidi, Queenin Masuabi and Suné Payne
Published on 2024-03-16 20:59:37
With less than 80 days left until South Africa’s provincial and national elections, the political landscape is becoming increasingly intense. The prospect of a coalition government is now very likely, prompting a national dialogue led by Deputy President Paul Mashatile in August 2023 to establish guidelines for forming coalitions.
Daily Maverick’s prominent event, The Gathering, held on 14 March, provided South Africans with a preview of what could transpire if the country ends up with a coalition government. The Multi-Party Charter (MPC) partners, with the objective of toppling the ANC, displayed some internal struggles. ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba emphasized his focus on saving the country from the ANC rather than building trust and friendships. Meanwhile, DA leader John Steenhuisen emphasized the importance of teamwork in his speech.
Political analyst and lecturer Dr. Rekgotsofetse Chikane warned that if political parties continue with a winner-takes-all mentality, the crises faced by Johannesburg, including deteriorating infrastructure, lack of service delivery, and water outages, could spread to other regions. Chikane highlighted the underlying issue as a power struggle rather than a concern for the people’s welfare.
Although much attention has been given to the potential loss of the ruling party’s majority, parties like the DA may also experience a decline in electoral support. The rise of parties such as Rise Mzansi, Build One South Africa, ActionSA, and the Patriotic Alliance poses a threat to the DA as they vie for the same pool of voters.
President Cyril Ramaphosa remains a popular figure within the ANC, and his leadership is seen as crucial for the party. Chikane expressed skepticism about the ANC losing its majority, emphasizing the importance of establishing rules and regulations for future electoral contests.
Amidst preparations for the upcoming elections, the DA’s request for support from G7 governments and international organizations for election monitoring raised eyebrows. The DA’s call for a parallel vote tabulation system was seen as a precautionary measure, although there was no concrete evidence of compromise within the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC).
The IEC’s CEO, Sy Mamabolo, confirmed ongoing discussions about inviting observers for the elections but expressed surprise at the invitation extended to foreign governments. Mamabolo emphasized the importance of adhering to established protocols for election observation.
Despite some concerns raised by various political parties, the IEC’s track record of overseeing free and fair elections was acknowledged. The recent leak of candidate lists by the ANC and the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party was addressed, with assurances of swift investigations and appropriate actions taken to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.
Overall, the lead-up to South Africa’s elections is marked by heightened political tensions, concerns about the electoral process, and the need for transparency and accountability in ensuring free and fair elections. The involvement of international observers and the effectiveness of the IEC in managing the electoral process remain crucial issues in the run-up to the elections.
Read the original article on Daily Maverick
