An alliance of South African opposition parties is gearing up for the upcoming May 29 election with hopes of unseating the ruling African National Congress (ANC) after three decades in power. The Multi-Party Charter (MPC), consisting of 11 member parties, has set its sights on bringing significant change to the country by prioritizing a free market economy and addressing issues such as economic stagnation, poor service delivery, and corruption.
William Gumede, the chairperson of the talks that led to the formation of the MPC, emphasized the urgency of this election, calling it the first one that will go down to the wire. With polls indicating a potential loss of majority for the ANC, the possibility of a coalition government looms large.
The MPC’s policies include upholding the constitution and the rule of law, promoting free market economics, and implementing welfare reforms tied to skills training participation. The alliance boasts a diverse range of parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), ActionSA, Inkatha Freedom Party, and Freedom Front Plus, aiming to tap into the country’s diverse talents and business community to drive progress.
As the election approaches, the ANC has not publicly acknowledged the risk of losing its majority or discussed potential coalition partners. However, with support for the opposition alliance parties on the rise, the MPC sees an opportunity to secure victory by mobilizing disenchanted voters who did not turn up in the previous election. The stage is set for a highly contested and unpredictable election that could reshape the political landscape of South Africa.