SA needs a coalition that will focus on governance, not political vendettas
GNU is typical of Ramaphosa’s conciliatory leadership and social compacting approach to finding solutions for country
Most people have now accepted that the recent national elections are of the same, if not of greater magnitude, to the one in 1994.
This election is the era of strengthening democracy, its true maturation. This is an epochal election because the governing party, the ANC, is below 50%, which calls on it to reflect on its willingness to be a vehicle of corruption and betraying the liberation promise. The ANC is no longer “secure in comfort”.
The DA has cemented its position as the official opposition, now it should overcome the racialised attitudes of party identification among South Africans.
Former president Jacob Zuma is the mascot which propelled the novice Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) to a historic third place for a new entrant since 1994.
It is no question that MKP ends the ANC’s dominance in SA politics and compels the EFF to re-think the relevance of its political appeal.
The national electoral outcome is a need for rational deliberations, not antagonism, to chart the political future. The shifting political landscape equally presents a threat of undemocratic penchants by political entrepreneurs who who seek to advance personal gain or punish their adversaries instead of seeking what will benefit society. Vendetta politics is what threatens the prospects of political stability and viable coalition government negotiations which are founded on democratic deliberations. The demands for the ANC to get rid of Cyril Ramaphosa (ANC-MKPEFF coalition scenario) could be more about vendetta and not rational policy options. That coalition could be vital for enhancing socioeconomic reforms. It could help shine the light on marginalised policy issues of injustice and inequality – in a manner the DA-ANC coalition could not. While the ANC-DA coalition could enhance the marketoriented cost-recovery policies.
But with many dysfunctional municipalities with poor revenue collection, defaulting on payments to Eskom and water utilities, maybe it is time for uncomfortable conversations about the ideal policies for sustainable local government.
And political parties that push hardline policy positions and threaten to withdraw from a coalition agreement if they do not have their way are playing vendetta politics and not seeking consensus for the greater good.
The way forward is going back to the foundations of political theory: governance. The resolution of conflict and building consensus on common principles and policy priorities.
Most political parties have expressed core principles in their electoral manifestos: job creation, fighting crime, ensuring social security and poverty alleviation, promoting social justice, quality education, and improving waste collection, including water and sanitation infrastructure.
The ANC’s proposal for a government of national unity (GNU) is such a rerun to the foundations of good governance. It sets a neutral basis and removes antagonistic political relations. This will help isolate actors who threaten prospects of civil society.
The PA presents the agenda of domestic security and prudent migration decision-making, while the IFP would restore the voice of traditional leadership.
This GNU should shine brighter than 1994 by being intentional and practical on developing inter-cultural competences to allay the divisions in SA’s society.
The option to accept a GNU is typical of Ramaphosa’s conciliatory leadership and social compacting approach to finding solutions.
Some may cynically say the ANC failed to take a bold decision to form a coalition with either the DA or EFFMK alliance (ideological loyalty vs market interests). But Ramaphosa brushes that criticism off by saying South Africans have worked as social partners to overcome various socioeconomic hardships in the past.