The African National Congress (ANC) is currently engaged in crucial deliberations during its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. The central focus is on forming coalition arrangements for the seventh administration.
The ANC, which lost its outright majority but retained 40% of the vote, is exploring potential partnerships to form a stable government within the constitutionally mandated 14-day period.
As the ANC contemplates its coalition options, it faces a plurality of voices both internally and externally. Notable internal opposition comes from figures like KwaZulu-Natal heavyweight Zweli Mkhize, who has expressed discomfort with a potential coalition with the Democratic Alliance (DA).
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Externally, alliance partners such as the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) have voiced concerns that a partnership with the DA could fracture the existing alliance and derail the ANC’s agenda of advancing the working class.
The Black Business Council (BBC) has also raised concerns, warning about the possible reversal of transformation policies if the ANC enters into a coalition with the DA.
The BBC’s letter to ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula highlighted that the DA’s campaign to repeal progressive, race-based legislation could undermine three decades of transformation gains. This concern is compounded by the ideological and pragmatic differences between the two parties.
Despite the internal and external opposition, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula emphasized the need for a strategic framework based on the election outcomes.
He reiterated the ANC’s commitment to its manifesto priorities, including job creation, social protection, and economic growth. Mbalula confirmed ongoing consultations with various parties to ensure a stable government that prioritizes the needs of South Africans.
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