Coalition talks: various opposition parties make collective agreement to request Chief Justice calls a meeting with leaders of all 18 Parliamentary Parties

7 June 2024

Today a delegation from Build One South Africa (BOSA), including leader Mmusi Maimane, attended a meeting of various opposition parties who are represented in the seventh Parliament.

The meeting was called amid several political parties making pronouncements on coalitions, governments of national unity and holding private and secret negotiations behind closed doors. 

In the interests of transparency and openness, the parties in the meeting made a collective decision to formally write to the Chief Justice, Raymond Zondo, requesting he convenes a meeting with the leaders of all eighteen parties represented in the National Assembly (NA).

The purpose of this meeting is to decide on the agenda of any Government of National Unity (GNU), which is the preferred option of the biggest party in South Africa, the ANC. We cannot commit to or reject any GNU without knowing or agreeing to the actual agenda of said government.

From BOSA’s side, this government agenda cannot exclude any of the following:

-        Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law

-        Justice and redress

-        A mixed economy that creates jobs

-        Zero tolerance for corruption

-        Reforming education

-        Eradicating crime

Unity is not a buzzword. If we are to build unity in government, then the actual negotiation process must demonstrate unity and good faith to all 60 million South Africans.

Issued by Roger Solomons, BOSA Acting Spokesperson, 7 June 2024