The pitfalls of coalition governance in South Africa

One of the questions that I woke up asking myself this week was, who truly benefits from the fragmented governance model characterised by coalitions?

Before some of you decide to bite my head off, please hear me out. I am a very supportive individual by nature and I strive to learn, grow and change my perspective on things whenever I am presented with new facts and evidence on a particular matter.

However, when it comes to coalition politics, I am just simply not convinced that they are the answer to our problems.

While many defend the idea of a government of national unity, many, like myself, highlight its failures, particularly in addressing the fundamental issues plaguing the nation.

Even amongst those supporters who constantly sing the songs of unity, the effectiveness of coalition politics remains in doubt.

At the heart of this discourse is a pervasive belief that South Africa, a nation grappling with systemic inequalities, is not ready for coalition governance.

The widening gap between the affluent and the impoverished, epitomised by staggering youth unemployment, rampant crime, and a faltering health and education system, all of which continue to spiral out of control, illustrates the dire need for a governance model that prioritises the welfare of the citizens over political allegiance and patronage.

Throughout our history, since the arrival of the Dutch East India Company in 1652, from the establishment of the Cape Colony, the K****r Wars in the Eastern Cape (aka the Xhosa Wars), the Anglo Zulu war in KwaZulu-Natal, the Anglo Boer War in the Free State and Transvaal, to the formation of the Union of South Africa, and right up until democracy in 1994, South Africa has always been characterised by one thing; profit.

The fight has always been about the land, what lies beneath it and the material benefits of those who had better weapons, armies and tactics.

Reflecting on this turbulent history, and applying a comparative analysis, the fight for resources and power continues to overshadow the socio-economic needs of the populace all the way up to 2025.

Our political leadership continues to serve the interests of the elite while neglecting the broader community. So much so that politics has become a career and source of income for many, with a whopping 35 new political parties registered since the 2024 election, bringing the tally to 471 parties.

When the African National Congress (ANC) ascended to power in 1994, it carried with it a promise of transformation and an opportunity to dismantle the exploitative systems that have, for centuries, stifled the majority.

Yet, over three decades into democracy, the reality looks starkly different.The statistics speak volumes.

With millions still landless and unemployed, the dependence on social grants has become a crutch for survival for many.In this context, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent rhetorical questions leading up to his national dialogue, such as: “Why are the taps dry?” and “Why has our health care collapsed?” expose a disconnect between leadership and the lived realities of ordinary South Africans.

The ANC’s failure to leverage its majority rule into meaningful progress has left citizens struggling under the weight of fragmentation and ineffective governance. When examining the dynamics of coalition politics, one can conclude that they have wreaked havoc.

Cities like Port Elizabeth, Pretoria, and Johannesburg have borne the brunt of leadership instability, with Johannesburg witnessing a revolving door of eight mayors in less than five years, a situation that led even to the theft of the mayoral chain.

KZN’s Premier, Thami Ntuli, faces daunting challenges as allegations of corruption hang over ANC MECs, further complicating an already precarious political situation.

Nationally, the government of national unity appears disjointed, with parties pulling in opposing directions. The DA frequently undermines presidential directives, complicating foreign policy positions and domestically compromising the efficacy of governance.

This chaotic fragmentation leads to a troubling conclusion: the only beneficiaries of such disarray are those in power, the oligarchs and entrenched interests that flourish in the face of instability.

So, where does this leave the nation?

Are coalitions truly in the best interest of South Africa's future, or is it time to rally behind one party, united under one purpose, one goal, one vision and one future?                                                        I will listen to the radio!

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