By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) secretary general Fikile Mbalula has outlined the party’s coalition plans just hours before the first sitting of Parliament on Friday.
Mbalula said, the party is not going to retreat on the concept of Government of National Unity (GNU) because they believe it represents the outcome of the elections. We did not get an outright majority. We are a 40% party.”
We have been supported and voted for by six million people who want us to continue with the transformation agenda to change the lives of the people forever,” Mbalula said.
Mbalula addressed the media on Thursday night in Cape Town about the developments of the GNU and their engagement with other political parties.
The ANC failed to win the 2024 national and provincial elections for the first time in their 30 years of rule in the country.
“We did not die in 1994 with 62%, and we will not die with 40% now, “he said.
He admitted that they were in no position to govern the country alone, hence the talks with other parties to form the GNU.
“We believe that the agreements we reach will be made public and engaged transparently,” he said.
He mentioned that they have so far engaged with parties including the DA, PA, IFP, UDM, FF+, RISE Mzansi, Al Jama-ah, and others who agreed to work with them on the GNU. However, engagements with the MK Party and EFF were unsuccessful.
He said the ANC engaged the EFF “with decency”.
“If they treat us like we don’t exist and we are addressed like that, we do not think that is the way for parties to speak to each other.
“The ANC speaks to even parties with one-man seats. The moment you start to play big and become arrogant, that is the nature of democracy and leadership.”
Fullview understands some of the proposals the ANC must deliberate on include fielding at least fielding between 8 and 9 Democratic Alliance (DA) ministers, the sharing of committees in parliament, and deciding on which party should field the next Speaker of Parliament.
However, there has been some push back within the ANC on its decision to work with the DA, which saw it introducing the idea of a GNU.
Speculation is rife that some ANC members will also reject the idea of a DA speaker, which might open the door to a smaller party being offered that post.
Meanwhile MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said they would not send their MPs to the National Assembly as they were still protesting the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) election results and would continue to pursue it.
“Our commitment to challenging election rigging and fraud remains firm.
“The MK Party is unwavering in its pursuit to ensure that every vote reflects the true will of the people, He said.
“We continue to reject the hasty declaration of the 29 May 2024 election results, advocating for a fair and just process that respects the democratic rights of all citizens.”