Professor Bheki Mngomezulu is a political analyst. He is the director of the Centre for the Advancement of Non-Racialism and Democracy at the Nelson Mandela University.
OPINION: With so many political parties emerging in each election, and with the Umkhonto WeSizwe Party (MKP) being unadvisedly undermined by the ANC leadership, the ANC’s future hangs in the balance, writes Prof. Bheki Mngomezulu.
Instead of responding to the SACP’s Solly Mapaila professionally and engaging him in his capacity as the secretary-general of the ANC which leads the Tripartite Alliance, Fikile Mbalula has resorted to public criticism, writes Professor Bheki Mngomezulu.
Zille has constantly reminded the ANC that it did not win the election, and as such, cannot make unilateral decisions on who else should join the coalition without consulting the DA and other political parties, the writer says.
For the NPA to be able to execute its constitutional mandate properly, there must be a strong working relationship between it and the Ministry of Justice. If the relationship is weakened or interrupted, the consequences for the country will be dire.
What is noticeable in Mbeki’s efforts is his evident determination to revive the ANC and the leadership prowess which he has demonstrated in his public statements. Importantly, Mbeki has been brutally honest in his assessment of his organisation.
OPINION: ANC veteran Mac Maharaj says ‘it is not possible to tell the story of South Africa’s Struggle against colonialism and apartheid without including the significant contribution of the NIC and the TIC’, writes Prof Bheki Mngomezulu.
While it would be wrong to advance a view that Gordhan did nothing for this country, it would be equally disingenuous to portray him as a saint, says the writer.
ANC veteran Mac Maharaj says ‘it is not possible to tell the story of South Africa’s Struggle against colonialism and apartheid without including the significant contribution of the NIC and the TIC’, the writer says.
While constitutional rights are there and apply to everyone in theory, to farmworkers these rights remain a pipe dream and a far-fetched reality.
Before the election, the DA claimed that where it leads, it governs well. After failing to win the election and agreeing to be part of the multiparty coalition, the DA promised to demonstrate how to lead well.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi was honest in likening the ANC to a sinking ship which was going down swiftly, saying those who were fighting for the leadership of the ANC were missing the point.
The historic announcement has led to much speculation on why Floyd Shivambu has taken a decision to leave the party of which he is a founding member, including a ‘fallout’ with party leader, Julius Malema, the writer says.
Since the Marikana Massacre, the operations of the South African Police Service have been placed under serious public scrutiny. Each time there is a report of police gunning down suspected criminals, the massacre is invoked – rightly or wrongly.
From beginning to end, the Zuma matter has triggered many questions. There is no consensus on how to respond to the questions – even among ANC members, the writer says.
The DA has been vocal about corruption in the ANC. However, since becoming part of the Government of National Unity, the DA appears to have changed its stance as seen in the party’s reactions to the EFF’s attempts to impeach President Cyril Ramaphosa for the Phala Phala scandal, says the writer.
At the centre of it all is the public. Any national dialogue that excludes the masses of the country would be a futile exercise, the writer says.
In his opening of Parliament, President Cyril Ramaphosa was upbeat and optimistic about the GNU he is leading, saying at the beginning and at the end of his address that the onus is on all member parties to make this GNU work.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that the opening of Parliament will take place on July 18, 2024, has confirmed that the Government of National Unity (GNU) discussions have been concluded and the real work will now begin after the mudslinging that has characterised the election campaign period.
The GNU discussions were characterised by a trust deficit among politicians. The delay in reaching an agreement was because of this lack of trust, coupled with political greed and failure to put the citizens first, the writer says.
On election day, many people voted with minimal glitches. However, some concerns were raised from various voting stations.
The word “coalition” is an umbrella concept. It refers to a form of government which is established when two or more political parties agree to work together. The concept comes from the Latin word coalitus, which means “to grow together”. The assumption is that those parties that form part of a coalition are expected to pull in the same direction.
Given the many complaints about irregularities and other glitches in this election, an ideal situation would be a Government of National Unity (GNU), not a coalition. The country had an experiment of this form of government in 1994. Although it was short-lived, it served its purpose, writes Professor Bheki Mngomezulu.
First, voters are spoilt for choice, given the unprecedented high number of political parties, Professor Bheki Mngomezulu writes.
The Constitutional Court of South Africa has ruled that Jacob Zuma is ineligible to stand for election to the National Assembly, marking a significant moment in the country's political and judicial history.
Even if South Africa were to lose the genocide case against Israel at the ICJ, history will judge the country favourably for having taken the initiative to act against Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
