A coalition of South African opposition parties has come together with the common goal of ending the ruling African National Congress' (ANC) long-standing grip on power. The coalition, consisting of seven parties, has agreed to form a coalition government should they collectively secure a majority in the upcoming Parliamentary elections scheduled for next year.
Dubbed the Multi-Party Charter for South Africa, the agreement also states that the coalition parties will not enter into any working or co-governing arrangements with the ANC or the populist Economic Freedom Fighters at the national or provincial government level.
The primary objective of the coalition is to unseat the ANC, prevent the EFF from gaining power, and establish a multiparty government in the wake of the 2024 elections. This united front includes major players such as the official opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), who emphasized that their focus is on resolving the urgent problems facing the country by removing the ANC from government.
Under the terms of the agreement, each participating party will campaign as an individual entity in the elections, and the distribution of seats in a post-election coalition government will be proportionate to their electoral support. It is important to note that the leader of the largest party will not automatically assume the role of President. However, they will be entitled to the position of leader of government business in Parliament.
The ANC has been in power since the end of apartheid rule in 1994, but recent opinion polls suggest that it may be at risk of losing its majority. This potential backlash is a result of the party's inability to address issues such as widespread unemployment, poverty, and an ongoing energy crisis that has led to severe power rationing of up to 12 hours a day.
In the previous national election held in 2019, the ANC secured 57.5% of the votes, while the DA and the EFF received 20.8% and 10.8% respectively. Currently, the DA controls the Western Cape province, while the ANC governs the remaining eight provinces.
Aside from the DA, the other signatory parties to the coalition include the Inkatha Freedom Party, the Freedom Front Plus, ActionSA, the United Independent Movement, the Spectrum National Party, and the Independent South African National Civic Organisation.
The formation of this opposition coalition signifies a unified effort to challenge the ANC's dominance and install a new government that aims to address the critical issues facing South Africa. With their sights set on the 2024 elections, these parties strive to bring about meaningful change and secure a more promising future for the country.