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In a bold political move, South Africa’s uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party announced on Sunday its decision to join an alliance of smaller opposition parties in parliament. This coalition aims to challenge the newly formed government led by the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA). The announcement came in the wake of the ANC’s historic loss of majority control, marking a significant shift in the country’s political landscape.
On Friday, the ANC and its main rival, the DA, a pro-business party traditionally led by white South Africans, declared their intention to form a coalition government, dubbing it a “government of national unity.” This coalition represents a departure from the ANC’s 30-year dominance in South African politics.
The MK party, founded by former President Jacob Zuma, emerged as a surprising third-place finisher in the May 29 election, securing 14.6% of the vote and 58 seats in the 400-seat National Assembly. Despite this success, MK lawmakers boycotted the first parliamentary session on Friday, having filed a complaint alleging vote-rigging. The country’s top court dismissed the complaint as baseless.
Spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela, speaking on behalf of Zuma, confirmed that the MK party would join the “Progressive Caucus,” an alliance including the Marxist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the centre-left United Democratic Movement. This coalition holds nearly 30% of the seats in the National Assembly. Sitting next to Zuma,Ndhlela stressed the alliance’s mission to oppose what he described as “right-wing and reactionary forces” resistant to economic freedom, radical economic transformation, racial equality, and land repossession.
Ndhlela announced that MK would take up its seats in parliament after receiving legal advice and would persist in raising its election fraud allegations in both the legislature and the courts. The Independent Electoral Commission maintains that the election was free and fair.
Zuma criticized the new unity government, which also includes the socially conservative Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the right-wing Patriotic Alliance, calling it a “white-led unholy alliance” and “meaningless.”
In a related development, the IFP declared its decision to join the unity government alongside the ANC and DA. IFP leader Velenkosini Hlabisa confirmed the agreement during a Wednesday media briefing, citing the necessity of political cooperation following the ANC’s electoral setback. The new parliament, scheduled to be sworn in on Friday, is expected to elect a president, with the ANC pushing for Cyril Ramaphosa to continue as the country’s leader.
The ANC’s vote share fell below 50% for the first time since Nelson Mandela’s 1994 victory, with the ANC receiving about 40% of the vote, the DA 22%, the MK party 15%, and the EFF 9%. The IFP garnered approximately 4% of the vote. While many within the ANC prefer a coalition with the EFF and MK, such a partnership could deter investors due to these parties’ radical policies. Conversely, the business community favors an ANC-DA coalition. Including the IFP is seen as a strategic move to counter criticisms that the ANC is “selling out” by aligning with the DA.
Despite differing policies, such as opposition to the ANC’s black empowerment program and the National Health Insurance Bill, Hlabisa stressed the IFP’s commitment to national unity and reassured supporters that the party would retain its identity. Drawing on its previous coalition experience, the IFP aims to contribute to a stable government that addresses the nation’s challenges.
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