By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Seven South African opposition political parties are expected to have a joint national convention next month where they would discuss a possible alliance to unseat the governing African National Congress (ANC) in next year’s national election.
The national leader of ANC and the country’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa has equally indicated interest to seek re-election next year as he has been cleared of the farm-gate scandal.
The opposition political parties have also criticised him for Johannesburg’s romance with Moscow since the invasion of Ukraine last year by Russia. They have faulted Ramaphosa’s claim of neutrality in the war entering its second year in Kyiv, an invasion that has attracted condemnation of western leaders.
The popular opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Freedom Front Plus and the National Freedom Party (NFP) – will be meeting with smaller political parties — ActionSA, the United Independent Party and Spectrum National to discuss a way forward.
These parties believe the ANC’s support is dwindling, a development that presents them with the opportunity to step up to bring about change for dissatisfied South Africans.
The seven opposition political parties will meet on 16 and 17 August in Kempton Park venue, where the alliance talks and pre-election agreements would take place.
The parties have engaged in months of preparatory meetings to reach a basic consensus.
The leader of Democratic Alliance (DA), John Steenhuisen ruffled feathers in April when he announced his Moonshot Pact, with opposition parties saying they weren’t consulted beforehand.
“What we are going to do is focus on the things that unite us rather than the things that divide us. I’m absolutely convinced that all the parties who attend the pact will find the 10 to 15 things that we all agree on need to be done to fix South Africa.”
ActionSA’s national chairperson, Michael Beaumont, says the convention is not about being anti-ANC.
“It’s about being strong for an alternative vision for South Africa and it’s about putting down jointly agreed solutions to the greatest challenges facing South Africans today.”
The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) and Build One South Africa are yet to decide whether to join next month’s talks.
