South Africa: MK Party Absent As ANC Announces It Has Begun Coalition Talks With DA, EFF, IFP, PA

The African National Congress (ANC) has announced its plans to form a coalition government following the national and provincial elections held on 2 June 2024, saying that it has begun talks with several political parties to achieve this.

In a press statement released on Wednesday, the ANC announced that it has had engagements with the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the Democratic Alliance (DA), the National Freedom Party (NFP), and the Patriotic Alliance (PA) in order to bring about a coalition government.

The recent elections saw no single party achieving an absolute majority, necessitating collaborative governance at both the national level and in key provinces such as Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. The ANC, recognising the electorate’s call for cooperative leadership, has initiated talks with several political parties to build a coalition government.

“South Africans have spoken, and their wishes must be respected,” said ANC Secretary General Comrade Fikile Mbalula. “The results indicate a clear desire for all parties to work together in the best interest of our country and its people.”

Additionally, the ANC has consulted with its alliance partners, the South African Communist Party (SACP), the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), and the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO).

However, the MK Party (MKP) is not among the parties involved in the coalition government discussions, as the ANC said that despite repeated attempts, the MK Party did not respond to the ANC’s outreach efforts. The statement read, “Our door remains open as we continue to reach out to every party keen to contribute positively to moving our country forward.”

Furthermore, the ANC’s National Working Committee (NWC) convened on 4 June 2024 to review reports from National Officials regarding the coalition talks. The committee discussed three potential options for forming a government, carefully weighing the risks and benefits of each.

Following the election results, the ANC has also initiated the process of appointing Premiers in provinces where it gained a majority or is likely to lead a coalition government. Provincial Executive Committees (PECs) have nominated candidates, with a strong emphasis on gender balance, ensuring that at least two of the three nominees from each province are women.

The final selection of Premiers will be conducted by ANC National Officials in the coming days, with the official announcements expected early next week. Provincial legislatures are scheduled to convene on 17 and 18 June to elect Speakers, Deputy Speakers, and Premiers.

The ANC has also acknowledged the uncertainties created by the election results but views this as an opportunity to unite the nation and address pressing challenges. The party has also cautioned against the spread of misinformation, reiterating that official communications will only be disseminated through its sanctioned platforms.

“We remain committed to ensuring national unity and stability,” the ANC stated. “We will engage with all South Africans to chart a path forward that reflects the message from the electorate: we must work together.”

Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi

Follow us on: