Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ In a significant development for South Africa’s political landscape, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has announced its willingness to join a proposed government of national unity. This move is seen as a step towards resolving the current political deadlock following the African National Congress (ANC)’s loss of its parliamentary majority in last month’s election.
Velenkosini Hlabisa, leader of the IFP, declared the party’s intention to collaborate with the ANC and the Democratic Alliance (DA) ahead of the critical Friday deadline, when South Africa’s new Parliament will convene for the first time since the May 29 election. This session will aim to elect a president, and the ANC’s proposed unity government appears more feasible with the IFP’s support.
The ANC, which has governed South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994, received only 40% of the vote in the recent election, marking a substantial decrease in its influence. Despite remaining the largest party, the ANC must now form alliances to secure a governing majority and re-elect President Cyril Ramaphosa for a second term.
In South Africa’s electoral system, voters choose parties, which then receive parliamentary seats proportional to their vote share. These lawmakers subsequently elect the president of the nation.
Last week, the ANC extended an invitation to all 17 parties represented in Parliament to form a government of national unity, rather than limiting the coalition to one or two parties. Hlabisa emphasized the IFP’s commitment to a stable government, stating that their participation is “for the sake of our country and a stable government.” The IFP, which garners significant support from the Zulu ethnic group, is ready to collaborate with both the ANC and the DA.
The centrist DA has also expressed a willingness to join a unity government, although it has yet to make a definitive announcement as discussions with the ANC continue.
A coalition between the ANC, DA, and IFP would provide a clear majority in Parliament. However, two other significant parties, the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the newly established MK Party led by former President Jacob Zuma, have declined to join the unity government. The MK Party has taken legal action to postpone the first parliamentary session and has contested the election results, citing irregularities.
While South Africa’s independent electoral commission acknowledged some logistical issues, it affirmed the election results on June 2, declaring the process free and fair. Independent observers corroborated this assessment.
Despite MK’s announcement that its 58 new lawmakers would boycott Parliament if the session proceeds on Friday, South Africa’s constitution mandates that only a third of Parliament’s 400 members need to be present for a quorum. Consequently, the vote to elect the president is expected to continue as planned.
This unfolding political scenario is pivotal for South Africa’s future governance, with the proposed unity government potentially marking a new chapter in the nation’s political history.
