Multi-Party Group to consider dialogue on coalitions at national convention

7 August 2023

The political parties exploring a multi-party agreement (DA, IFP, FF Plus, ActionSA, UIM and SNP) have considered the engagements arising from the National Dialogue on coalition governments convened by Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

There are a number of points arising from the discussions which we believe to be sensible approaches to improving the stability and performance of coalition governments. However, there are also elements of the discussion that produce concerns around which we will need to engage further.

Not least amongst these concerns is the revelation on Saturday from Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Parks Tau, that a draft bill has already been produced by the Department prior to the convening of the National Dialogue. This group of parties will not legitimise a pre-conceived outcome, drafted by ANC-aligned officials, for the last days of ANC majority in Parliament to protect its interests in future coalitions.

For this reason, the parties in this group will consider the matters arising from the National Dialogue and will place them on our agenda for further engagement at our National Convention to be held on 16 and 17 August at Emperor’s Palace. This is therefore an appropriate addition to the broader agenda of our National Convention where our parties will explore a pre-election agreement to provide South Africans with an alternative in the 2024 elections.

South Africans need a viable alternative that can both achieve a majority in an election and produce stable and effective coalition governance after the 2024 elections. This is precisely why the National Convention on 16 and 17 August will focus on these dual requirements of the alternative that we will work to present to the South African people.

Issued by DA, IFP, FF Plus, ActionSA, UIM, SNP, 7 August 2023