A government of national unity “like the one former president [Nelson] Mandela initiated when he took office in 1994”, could soon be a reality for SA.
If word from ANC insiders is anything to go by, and if such a plan is rubber-stamped by the party’s national executive committee (NEC) in a meeting on Thursday, this will be the country's immediate future.
This comes after some within the Eastern Cape ANC are said to have rejected the option of a straight coalition with the DA.
It is understood that some provincial leaders indicated they would rather rerun the elections than work solely with John Steenhuisen’s party.
Provincial party bosses met behind closed doors in East London this week.
The entire country is on tenterhooks as to whom the ANC will eventually go to bed with nationally.
On Wednesday, ANC provincial spokesperson Gift Ngqondi neither confirmed nor denied the province’s stance on a possible coalition with the DA.
Instead he said: “The PEC is of the view that the formation of any coalition government must be based on the principle that those we work with are prepared to advance the agenda of deepening democracy, maintaining the rule of law, advancing transformation and, much more importantly, totally liberating the downtrodden and vulnerable, who are predominately black Africans.”
Without mentioning any political party, Ngqondi said further: “Any attempt to form a coalition with those that are against transformation will be the reversal of the gains of our democracy and must be discouraged and defeated.”
Speaking at the extended PEC meeting, ANC provincial chair Oscar Mabuyane seemed to embrace the idea of a unity government, saying: “We must remember at this difficult moment that the ANC under the leadership of President Nelson Mandela formed a government of national unity, even though the ANC won the 1994 election with an outright majority ... to defuse ethnic tensions in the country.
“There is a lot of discontent in our country, and with no political party amassing over 50% of the votes, a government of national unity might be what we need ... to take our country forward.”
He later said the province was “sceptical” about getting into bed with the DA outright “for fear of the unknown”.
Mabuyane said he feared such a move, if it materialised, “will reverse the gains already made in liberating the oppressed in SA”.
ANC bosses “should refuse any attempts to negotiate with a gun to our heads”.
The decision on a government of national unity would be announced “before this week ends”, insiders said, after it was agreed on by the party’s national working committee (NWC) on Tuesday.
Sources said indications were that the ANC, which garnered just over 40% in last week’s polls, would get into bed with the DA, EFF, IFP and Patriotic Alliance (PA).
This decision was said to have come after some NWC members raised concerns about a coalition with the DA.
It is understood those members felt it could “lead to unnecessary and devastating fallout within party and alliance structures, some of whom have already raised some reservations”.
“After our negotiation team completed its work, a discussion document was prepared, with three options to consider in forming a viable government that would be capable of leading the country effectively and aligned with the principles of the renewal project.
“A coalition with the DA and IFP was suggested, a confidence and supply agreement with both these two parties was also suggested, or a government of national unity with all these parties,” one insider said.
However, in a statement, the ANC confirmed plans would be discussed by the NEC on Thursday, before a final decision was taken and communicated.
Talks with former president Jacob Zuma and his MK Party, to potentially join the proposed setup, are also on the cards.
“Some comrades just didn’t want to entertain a suggestion to go into coalition with the DA,” one source said.
On Wednesday, DA provincial leader Andrew Whitfield refused to be drawn into the debate.
“All I can say is that the DA has mandated a team to go on a fact-finding mission with all parties, except the EFF, PA and MK parties.
“We are committed to engaging with only those who have the best interests of SA [at heart].”
In Monday’s PEC meeting, Mabuyane warned against linking up with Zuma’s party.
“We must understand that our opponents, especially those who formed the MK Party, would want to reverse the renewal agenda of the ANC.
“Already they are playing their hand by attacking institutions of democracy, starting with the IEC.
“At every given opportunity, they threaten peace and stability in the country if things do not go their way,” Mabuyane said.
MK Party provincial co-ordinator Mawande Ndakisa could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.
The University of Fort Hare’s Dr Christopher Allsobrook said there was no way the country could rerun the election as “no-one can afford that”.
“I understand there is reluctance from some within the ANC to work with the DA,” Allsobrook said.
“I suspect that there are a lot of people in the ANC who do not like the accountability that President Ramaphosa brought to the party.
“I think a lot benefited from the Zuma administration, so they are very worried about the accountability posture that the DA could bring into such a coalition. They want old times to return.”
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