Patriotic Alliance Might Drop ANC For Multi-Party Charter SA

The leader of the Patriotic Alliance (PA), Gayton McKenzie, is reportedly considering ditching its coalition with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party in a move to join the new Multi-Party Charter for SA if Democratic Alliance (DA) follows suit.

ALSO READ: Kaching! BRICS Summit good for Sandton businesses

As stated by Eye Witness Publication, the PA is ready to end its alliances with the ANC as long as the Democratic Alliance (DA) does the same.

This past week, several political parties gathered at Kempton Park for a two-day convention. In preparation for the 2024 general elections, some political parties formally ratified coalition agreements.

“If the DA made it known that they would not work with the ANC, we made it clear that we would cooperate. I believe that is the case with this charter, and when that happens, we will follow suit.” Charles Cilliers, the PA’s Head of Strategy, told the publication

ALSO READ: Fikile Mbalula: ANC ‘not deterred’ by Multi-Party agreement

REASONS FOR THE COALITION

At the convention, the coalition of opposition parties reached agreements on several fundamental tenets to come together and oppose the ANC’s dominance in the next elections.

According to DA leader John Steenhuisen, the charter was a commitment to address South Africa’s pressing issues rather than merely an anti-African National Congress (ANC) alliance.

“We need a new administration that cares about little towns that have been destroyed by an uncaring ANC government, as well as for farmers and farmworkers who are facing rising crime.

“I kindly urge that you support us if the accord presents a compelling vision to lower unemployment, halt load shedding”, expand our economy, and combat violent crime, Steenhuisen said.

ALSO READ: DA accuses Patriotic Alliance (PA) of collapsing Knysna

ANC’S VIEW ABOUT THE CHARTER

President Cyril Ramaphosa and Gauteng provincial chair Panyaza Lesufi are among the ANC leaders who disregarded the charter.

“The gathering of parties that want to unseat the ANC is a sideshow to us,” Ramaphosa remarked on the margins of the ANC’s national working committee meeting with branches on Saturday in Johannesburg.

He further noted that even though they have the right to hold conferences, they can never hope to garner the biggest level of supporters as the ANC party has.

“No party in this country has as wide a reach as we do, and because of this, we are convinced that we are on the right track.

Lesufi said that every political party should stand alone and referred to the charter as “a gang of losers.” The future election should concentrate on the merits of individual parties rather than a collective.