In a strategic move aimed at unseating the African National Congress (ANC), which has held power since the end of apartheid, seven opposition parties in South Africa have come together to ally. This initiative to build a coalition even before the upcoming elections is spearheaded by the primary opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), which has consistently secured around 20% of the votes. To challenge the ANC’s majority, the DA seeks to gather allies under its banner.
The setting for this multi-party conference was purposefully chosen as a historic one—the same hotel that hosted negotiations for the dismantling of apartheid. After two days of discussions, a charter was eventually signed, with a significant clause binding those aligning with the DA’s proposal.
“Present parties commit to upholding the vision, priorities, principles, and common program of the charter. They therefore will not engage in any discussions or governance agreements with the ANC, the EFF, or any rival formations,” outlined William Gumede, the conference facilitator.
However, the outcome has created an intriguing amalgamation of parties, including the Zulu party led by Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the Afrikaner nationalist Freedom Front Plus, and Action SA led by former Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba. All of this falls under the umbrella of the DA and its leader, John Steenhuisen, who declared:
Nonetheless, these allied parties will need to expand their influence further if they hope to dislodge the ANC on a national level. The door has been left open for other parties, like the Alliance of Patriots, to join the alliance if they wish. This dynamic shift in South African politics emphasizes the determination of opposition parties to foster change and sets the stage for a competitive and pivotal 2024 election year.