Opposition parties set date to discuss pre-election pact to change SA’s government

As South Africans are already aware, the 2024 election presents an unprecedented opportunity for the nation to elect a new government that could steer SA out of the multiple crises it faces. According to a joint statement by several opposition parties, for the very first time since 1994, the incumbent governing party – the ANC – is set to lose its majority when voters go to the polls next year.

The opposition parties say:

“We know that many citizens are anxious about the future. We know that they want certainty that the new national government that replaces ANC domination next year will be stable, viable and effective. Above all, they want opposition parties to provide a viable path to achieving the 50%+1 majority we need to form a government without the ANC, the EFF and their proxies that can deliver a prosperous future for all South Africans.”

The leaders of the seven different political organisations say the credible prospect of a change in government is “cause for optimism” but comes with great responsibility to take SA in a better direction.

They have therefore held a series of meetings over the past couple of months to lay the foundation for a National Convention where they could gather to negotiate a pre-election Pact.

The seven organisations are: The Democratic Alliance, The Inkatha Freedom Party, The Freedom Front Plus, ActionSA, The National Freedom Party, The United Independent Movement and The Spectrum National Party.

The parties say they have established sufficient common ground for this National Convention to take place on 16 and 17 August 2023.

Significant meeting venue

“The Convention will be held at Emperor’s Palace in Kempton Park,” says the statement. “This venue was deliberately chosen for its symbolic significance, being the same venue where the CODESA negotiations took place that laid the foundation for South Africa’s transition to democracy. It is therefore fitting that we use this venue to host another historic first, where opposition party leaders will get together around one table to work out a common vision for a new government.”

The statement emphasises that all leaders have engaged voluntarily, and “it is for each party to ultimately decide whether it wants to formally join the Pact once negotiations have been concluded at the upcoming National Convention. There are no predetermined outcomes, and negotiations at the Convention will be robust, honest and constructive.”

Two other parties – African Christian Democratic Party and Build One South Africa – have attended various meetings as observers and are yet to decide if they will attend the national convention.

“While there is still much work to be done, the people of South Africa can take great heart from the knowledge that, for the first time ever, opposition leaders are working in unison to provide hope and a new way forward for the country we all love,” said the opposition parties.