DA Covid-19 lockdown restrictions end

Side-by-side image of DA leader John Steenhuisen (left) who has lambasted President Cyril Ramaphosa (right) and government over the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. Image: Twitter @briefly

Coalition update: ANC and DA leaders meet to find a way forward

The country’s two biggest parties are both meeting today to try and work out who to work with. Will the ANC and DA work with each other?

DA Covid-19 lockdown restrictions end

Side-by-side image of DA leader John Steenhuisen (left) who has lambasted President Cyril Ramaphosa (right) and government over the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. Image: Twitter @briefly

Politicians have no choice, now is the time for coalitions. For the first time in South Africa’s democratic history, the ANC achieved less than 50% in an election. In fact, things were so bad for the ANC across the country, that the party now only governs two metros with a majority. Things were bad for the DA too though, the party lost seats in just about every metro it wanted to govern. That means it’s a busy Sunday of pondering and planning for the ANC NEC and DA Federal Executive.

Coalition politics: ANC NEC to meet, DA top leaders to meet too

While the country’s two biggest political parties Sunday meetings are separate, the meetings will determine whether or not the rivals enter any serious coalition talks with each other.

Also Read – Land expropriation in 6 months! EFF reveals 10 coalition demands

On Saturday, ANC senior leaders met with the EFF to discuss coalitions. The red berets have made a long list of demands. Their coalition negotiation team includes Advocate Dali Mpofu and most of the EFF top 6, except party leader Julius Malema.

The ANC and EFF working together might seem like the most obvious coalition answer for the ANC. But with the EFF’s demands and President Cyril Ramaphosa’s economic plans, it’s not that simple.

With the DA and ANC actually having many of the same values and plans ON PAPER, some believe an ANC and DA partnership could be best.

Due to the ANC needing the DA, could the DA be the watchdog to make sure service delivery happens and corruption doesn’t? That’s also not a simple task.

What does the DA need in order to govern?

Ok, so we know the City of Cape Town is locked up for the DA. But what about Johannesburg, Tshwane and Nelson Mandela Bay? The DA has already ruled out the EFF, so that means ActionSA will be needed.

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba was the DA Mayor of Johannesburg for many years. Can the DA and Mashaba find the love again? That’s what Helen Zille and co are discussing this weekend.

But even with ActionSA and smaller parties, there is no guarantee that will be enough to govern the two key Gauteng metros.

One thing is certain, if the ANC and ActionSA can’t make a plan with the blue party, the DA can kiss its governance hopes in Gauteng goodbye.