The possibility of merging the Eastern Cape (EC) and Western Cape (WC) provinces into one has been put forward by the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, with former South African president Jacob Zuma revealing the plan during an MK gathering.
Zuma’s motivation behind this proposal is to prevent the Democratic Alliance (DA) from governing indefinitely in the Western Cape, where they have been in power since 2009.
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Zuma argues that merging the two provinces would give the MK party a majority and prevent the DA from continuing to rule in the Western Cape.
However, the DA has strongly criticized Zuma’s comments, calling them unrealistic and a populist narrative.
They argue that the Western Cape is the best-governed province according to government statistics, with the lowest unemployment rate in the country and the highest number of municipalities with clean audits.
Andrew Whitfield, a DA member of parliament and leader of the party in the Eastern Cape, emphasizes that what the Eastern Cape needs is not a merger with the Western Cape, but a new government that can deliver on its promises and govern effectively and honestly.
Whitfield asserts that the people of the Western Cape have placed their trust in the DA-led government because of its track record of delivering on its commitments and respecting the voters.
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While the proposal to merge the Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces has raised controversy, it remains to be seen whether it will gain traction and be implemented.
The outcome of the upcoming election in May will undoubtedly shape the future political landscape and determine the feasibility of such a merger.
“There were 4 provinces in South Africa, but now there are 9, and foreigners want to claim one of them as their own.” Former President Jacob Zuma
“MK Party Must win with a Majority Vote in order to reduce South Africans provinces to 4, So that Western Cape and Eastern Cape can… pic.twitter.com/HpgPrpcTVh
— News Live SA (@newslivesa) January 14, 2024
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