Hardly had South Africa’s new Unity Government begun to take shape, when the partners squabbled. Is this the end of a new friendship and the start of untested solutions?
The last election humiliated the once triumphant African National Congress (ABC) party with a 40% gain and the white Democratic Alliance (DA) with a 22% gain, leading to an unforeseen agreement between the two on June 14. This was to maintain President Cyril Ramaphosa in power, with the DA gaining cabinet posts in return. The ANC also signed a coalition document with smaller parties, who may be given cabinet posts. Ex-President Jacob Zuma’s party and that of Julius Malema were not part of this.
This resulted in general satisfaction and stability, with the business sector confident that the economy would benefit. ANC veterans welcomed the chance to get things right. However, on June 25, an angry letter from the President accused the DA of trying to set up a parallel government, while the DA demanded that the ANC stick to the original agreement.
The fear that the Unity Government would not be formed caused despair, a downturn in markets, and a currency downturn due to uncharted events. Smaller parties may well try to apply new pressures.
Possibly, the two largest parties are simply attempting to improve their position in the new deal. For the sake of South Africa’s troubled people, it can only be hoped that the major parties will find a solution to overcome their differences amicably. There are many issues that need to be resolved. ends.