Some power-sharing deals not inclusive, risk 'causing instability in SA'

JOHANNESBURG - Political economist Moeletsi Mbeki says some of the power-sharing deals on the table are not inclusive and risk causing political instability.

Mbeki’s comments come as the African National Congress (ANC) continues to meet with other parties to strike a coalition agreement.

Several options have been touted so far including a partnership between the ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA), as well as the ANC and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

Speaking at PSG’s Think Big series, Mbeki again raised concerns about shortcomings in the country’s political landscape.

“These are all middle-class parties, and they are advancing the interests of the middle classes to the exclusion of all the other social groups in our society. That is what causes instability in South Africa. That’s the primary problem. It’s that these parties are not representative of the great majority of our population.”

SA NOT IN CRISIS - MBEKI

In the buildup to elections, the DA accused the ANC of eroding state institutions through cadre deployment, corruption and criminality.

The party said the squandering of the country’s resources led to dysfunctional energy and logistics sectors, decaying infrastructure, high crime, high unemployment and an underperforming economy.

Despite conceding to the challenges, Mbeki said South Africa had a chance at reparation.

“Yes, the railways are not working. Yes, Eskom is not working, or the government now says its working but South Africa is not off track and it’s not in a crisis. That’s why people are starting to vote against the ANC – it’s because it’s not able to manage the economy the way people want but that doesn’t constitute a crisis.”

Since touting its rescue South Africa plan before the polls – the DA is not in coalition talks with the ANC.

NUMSA REJECTS DA-ANC COALITION

Meanwhile, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has rejected the prospect of a coalition between the DA and the ANC - saying this will crush the working class.

NUMSA said should the coalition become a reality, it would be detrimental to ordinary South Africans and will pose a threat to the prospects of a national minimum wage.

The ANC lost its majority following the elections and is currently in talks with various political parties to form a coalition government.

The party's national executive committee is expected to decide which party to join forces with during Thursday's meeting.

According to NUMSA, an ANC-DA coalition would leave workers with no choice but to mobilise against it.

“The ANC-DA coalition is preferred by the markets. If the ANC chooses the DA as a coalition partner this will be the final betrayal of the working class. NUMSA rejects outright the characterisation of an alliance which excludes the DA, namely, an alliance of the EFF, ANC and MK Party as a ‘Doomsday alliance’. This characterisation is blatantly racist," said spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi Majola.

Some power-sharing deals not inclusive, risk 'causing instability in SA' - Moeletsi Mbeki

NUMSA said should an ANC-DA coalition become a reality, it would be detrimental to ordinary South Africans and will pose a threat to the prospects of a national minimum wage.