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According to News24, the MK Party has reached out to the IFP for coalition talks just 48 hours before the first sitting of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature, where key positions will be elected. Despite IFP provincial chairperson Thami Ntuli ruling out a coalition with the MK Party, IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa did not dismiss the possibility in a recent interview. The MK Party, emphasizing shared political goals such as restoring the dignity of the Zulu kingdom, enhancing service delivery, and boosting the economy, has requested formal discussions. The IFP has yet to respond and plans to address the matter in a press briefing.

Chief Justice Raymond Zondo announced that the first sitting of the newly-elected parliament will be on Friday, June 14th, to elect the President, Speaker, and Deputy Speaker, while the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) will hold its first sitting on Saturday, June 15th, to elect the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson, Business Tech reports. The ANC, for the first time, does not hold a majority in parliament, having lost significant support to Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Party. Due to the MK Party’s planned boycott, arrangements for its MPs were cancelled to avoid unnecessary expenditure. Provincial legislatures must also meet within 14 days of the election results to elect their respective Speakers and Premiers.

The African National Congress (ANC), led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is forming a Government of National Unity (GNU) after failing to secure a majority in the recent elections. Following a special National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, Ramaphosa emphasized that this coalition aims to address key issues such as job creation, economic growth, and crime, while adhering to principles of social justice and good governance. Though coalition governments can slow decision-making due to necessary compromises, they promote moderate policies and accountability. The ANC will collaborate with various political parties, including the EFF, DA, and IFP, to form this unified government. This move is seen as essential for national development and addressing the needs of all South Africans. (The Citizen).

Image credit: President Cyril Ramaphosa, X platform.

Standard Bank’s CEO, Sim Tshabalala, expresses optimism about the stability and performance of South Africa’s financial markets following the establishment of a new government, regardless of its composition, IOL reports. Historical data indicates that the country’s markets tend to rally post-elections, with eight out of ten elections since 1980 showing positive market reactions. Tshabalala emphasizes the resilience of South Africa’s institutions and their ability to function effectively. Political analyst Moeletsi Mbeki suggests that the new government should scrap Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies, which he believes drive corruption and inefficiency. Despite mismanagement issues in sectors like railways and electricity, Mbeki remains positive about the country’s economic prospects, stressing that South Africa is not in crisis but needs new political parties representing diverse groups.

Thabo Bester, a convicted murderer and rapist, made an emotional plea in the Free State High Court, citing severe restrictions and challenges in mounting his defence due to direct oversight by the national commissioner of prisons, News24 reports. Appearing with his lover, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, and seven others facing charges related to his 2022 prison escape, Bester reported harsh confinement conditions, mistreatment, and limited contact with the outside world. He expressed frustration with media portrayal influencing public opinion, insisted the charges were politically motivated, and controversially suggested the public petition for his execution if convinced of his guilt. The case was postponed to July 24.

The KwaZulu-Natal police are on high alert due to potential unrest following the MKP’s claims of election fraud, News24 reports. The MKP, founded by former president Jacob Zuma, alleges fraud after finding unmonitored ballot papers and has filed a criminal complaint. They plan to pursue their grievances through the justice system before deciding on further action. Zuma hinted at possible future guidance if their concerns aren’t addressed. Despite heightened security measures, including additional police and army deployments, no significant threats have materialized yet. The MKP has also launched a social media campaign to discredit the election results.

The 2024 national and provincial election results, as they stand with 60% of votes counted, depict a significant decline in support for the African National Congress (ANC), potentially signaling a historic shift as the party drops below 50% for the first time since 1994, News24 reports. With projections aligning closely with the official results, the ANC is forecasted to secure just 40% of the vote, while the Democratic Alliance (DA) and former president Jacob Zuma’s Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party are positioned at 23.3% and 11.3%, respectively. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) leaderboard highlights the ANC’s struggle to maintain dominance, with other parties like the MK making notable showings.

Image credit: IEC, X

According to News24, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma and leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, has ruled out a coalition with the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal. She stated that her father, leading the MK Party, is open to collaborating with “progressive black parties,” excluding the ANC led by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Zuma-Sambudla hinted at a potential collaboration with the EFF but remained non-committal about the possibility of working with the IFP, a significant contender in the province. The IFP, part of the Multi-Party Charter along with the DA and other smaller parties, already cooperates with the DA in several KZN municipalities.

Despite being relatively new, the MK Party has seen impressive electoral results, aligning with their prior efforts. While final decisions on potential alliances lie with former president Zuma, who is expected to visit the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s results centre soon, projections suggest a significant shift in KZN politics. News24 projections indicate the ANC may lose its majority in the province, possibly leading to national repercussions as support for the ANC appears to have declined across all provinces.

Image credit: Emacous Photography_24 (MK Twitter page)

According to Times Live, as the sixth administration of the ANC-led government nears its conclusion, ANC member Naledi Pandor advocates for the re-election of Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC, emphasizing the need to maintain ideological coherence within the party. Pandor, who holds the position of minister of international relations and co-operation in Ramaphosa’s cabinet, asserts that the ANC has significantly transformed South Africa for the better. She expresses confidence in Ramaphosa’s leadership, citing his actions against corruption and his efforts to revitalize the ANC. Pandor warns against the potential disruptions that a coalition government could bring, arguing that it would impede the party’s ability to drive transformation and make decisive decisions.

Meanwhile, anticipation builds as the Electoral Commission of South Africa prepares to announce the new government later this week, with vote counting set to commence after the conclusion of voting on Wednesday night. Despite the ANC’s historical dominance in national elections, voter support for the party has been steadily declining since 2009. While they secured 57.5% of the votes in the previous elections, further erosion of support is anticipated, with the possibility of a coalition government looming on the horizon, according to some forecasts.

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IOL delves into the contentious allegations levied by former President Zuma against the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), claiming they obstructed an interview conducted on May 22. Zuma contended that this obstruction was part of a broader selective media ban targeting him. In response, the SABC vehemently denied these accusations, asserting their consistent coverage of Zuma’s political outfit, the Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, since its inception. They underscored their ongoing efforts to engage with Zuma’s team for interviews, citing their extensive coverage of the party’s activities, including a rally held on May 18, 2024.

Furthermore, the SABC provided a detailed account of the events surrounding the purportedly blocked interview on May 22. According to their statement, Zuma’s team had contacted them to cover an announcement in Durban. While the SABC agreed to provide coverage and allocated time for the event, they noted that Zuma’s team was given less than 10 minutes for the interview and instructed not to pose any questions. Despite these limitations, Zuma reportedly reiterated statements made during the preceding rally, which had already been extensively covered by the SABC. This incident underscores the ongoing friction between media organizations and political figures, emphasizing the paramount importance of transparent and ethical journalism in upholding democratic principles.