Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has made a plea to political donors to convince other parties to join the so-called ‘moonshot pact’ aimed at keeping the African National Congress (ANC) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) out of power.
Steenhuisen updated South Africans on the progress of the pact’s formation on Saturday, following the DA’s call to unite opposition parties against the governing party and the EFF ahead of the 2024 national elections.
While five other parties have agreed to talks with the DA at a national convention set to be held later in 2023, including ActionSA and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), the United Democratic Movement (UDM), and other parties are yet to be convinced. Some critics have accused the DA of wanting to take center stage, using its coalition partners as pawns.
Steenhuisen has urged opposition leaders to put aside their differences and work together towards their shared goal of unseating the ANC, he warned against petty politics and called on those who have rejected the plea for cooperation, including Reverend Kenneth Meshoe from the African Christian Democratic Party, General Bantu Holomisa from the United Democratic Movement, and Mr. Bongani Baloyi from Xiluva, to unclench their fists and join hands with the pact.