Durban, South Africa – In a significant political development, Velenkosini Hlabisa, the leader of South Africa’s Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), announced that his party has agreed to be part of a government of national unity, which will also include the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA). The announcement came during a media briefing in Durban on Wednesday.
“The only options were to become part of the government or part of the opposition,” Hlabisa told reporters. “The people of South Africa who voted said that political parties must find a common ground.”
The decision follows last month’s elections in which the ANC lost its majority for the first time since Nelson Mandela’s historic 1994 victory, which ended the apartheid regime. The ANC secured about 40% of the vote, while the DA and the MK party, led by former President Jacob Zuma, garnered 22% and 15% respectively. The radical Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) received 9%, and the IFP obtained approximately 4%.
South Africans have been anxiously waiting to see who would form the next government. This is the first official indication that a government of national unity has been agreed upon, though the DA and ANC have yet to comment. Previously, the ANC had expressed its desire to form a unity government and had engaged in talks with all opposition parties.
The ANC’s drop below 50% forced them to seek coalition partners. While some ANC activists prefer alliances with the EFF and MK due to shared ideologies, these parties’ policies, such as land expropriation without compensation and nationalization of mines, have raised concerns among investors. The business community favors a coalition between the ANC and DA.
Bringing the IFP into the coalition helps mitigate criticism that the ANC is “selling out” by collaborating with the DA, which some South Africans view as representing the white minority. The DA opposes key ANC policies, including the black empowerment program and the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill, which promises universal healthcare.
“We will participate in the government of national unity for the sake of our country and for the sake of our people, who want life to continue with a stable government that will address their challenges,” Hlabisa stated. He assured IFP supporters that the party would maintain its identity, drawing on its previous coalition experience with the ANC and the National Party following the 1994 elections.
As South Africa navigates this new political landscape, the formation of a government of national unity marks a pivotal moment in the country’s efforts to maintain stability and address the diverse challenges facing its people.