the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has returned to power in KwaZulu-Natal after a hiatus of two decades. Thami Ntuli, a prominent figure within the party, has been elected as the province's premier under a new provincial government of unity (PGU) agreement between the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA). This development marks a significant shift in the political landscape of the province and has left political pundits speculating about the future implications.
The KwaZulu-Natal coalition, known as the PGU, managed to push through its deal, securing the retention of ANC speaker Nontembeko Boyce, while also electing the DA's Mmabatho Tembe as her deputy and the IFP's Thami Ntuli as premier. The unprecedented unity displayed by the ANC and IFP MPLs, who voted together, caught the attention of observers, while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the MK Party formed a separate voting bloc on the opposing side.
However, the proceedings were not without obstacles. Former ANC photographer Simphiwe Moyo, now a leader in the MK Party, attempted to disrupt the proceedings by repeatedly rising on points of order. His actions earned him a reprimand from Boyce, who chastised him for his lack of familiarity with the rules of the house. This clash between the MK Party and the presiding KwaZulu-Natal Judge President, Thoba Poyo-Dlwati, added a dramatic flair to an already tense atmosphere.
Poyo-Dlwati, unwavering in her commitment to upholding the rules, stood her ground and ruled that the outcomes be announced according to the guidelines set by Constitutional Court Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. This decision did not sit well with the MK Party and the EFF, who expressed their lack of trust in the Electoral Commission of South Africa and demanded party observers to oversee the vote-counting process.
The late entry of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) into the negotiation talks for the coalition government may have backfired, as it missed the opportunity to govern KwaZulu-Natal. Despite securing the largest percentage of votes (45%), the MKP failed to actively engage in coalition discussions while other parties were diligently pursuing alliances. As a result, the ANC, DA, IFP, National Freedom Party (NFP), and other smaller parties forged an agreement to form the government in KwaZulu-Natal.
A source close to the negotiations revealed, "MKP should have initiated coalition negotiations earlier in KwaZulu-Natal, while simultaneously pursuing a court case to challenge the matter in case their bid failed. Now, they find themselves as the opposition, when they could have been the government. Governing a province would have demonstrated their readiness to govern at the national level in the upcoming elections."
The agreement between the four political parties grants them a total of 41 seats in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature, effectively securing their position as the ruling government. With 80 seats in total, the MKP is left as the official opposition with 37 seats. Furthermore, the MKP's decision to boycott the first sitting of the GNU in Parliament has cost them the opportunity to be part of the broader unity government.
The ANC, having received the highest percentage of votes (40.1%), fell short of the majority required to form a government. This compelled the party to negotiate with various political entities, including the DA, EFF, and MKP, to establish a coalition government. However, the ANC's proposal to form a coalition government was met with divided opinions within its ranks, with the national executive committee (NEC) and alliance partners expressing differing views.
In response to the ANC's proposal, Parliament extended an invitation to all political parties represented in its chambers to participate in the GNU. While several parties welcomed the invitation and committed to joining the government, the EFF, ActionSA, and MKP declined the offer. The MKP, under the leadership of former president Jacob Zuma, decided to halt its participation in parliamentary activities and lodged an urgent court application at the Constitutional Court, challenging the election results, which were deemed free and fair by the Electoral Commission.
The MKP alleged that the 2024 general elections were rigged and sought an interdict against the first sitting until their disputed election court case concluded. However, the Constitutional Court dismissed the MKP's application on the grounds of lacking urgency. The court also highlighted the party's failure to provide evidence to support its claim of victory and criticized the irregular service of court documents.
As the first sitting approached, Parliament responded to the MKP's boycott threats by proceeding with the election of the Speaker, deputy Speaker, and president. The ANC had already reached an agreement with the IFP when the MKP initiated negotiations with other parties, including the Patriotic Alliance (PA) and the African Transformation Movement (ATM). However, these negotiations did not yield any fruitful results for the MKP.
In light of the MKP's absence, the ANC, IFP, DA, NFP, and other smaller parties formed the government of unity, with Thami Ntuli of the IFP being elected as the premier. This unexpected alliance between the ANC and IFP, two long-standing political rivals, has raised eyebrows and sparked speculation about the motivations behind their cooperation.
The government of unity aims to bring stability and progress to KwaZulu-Natal, a province that has faced numerous challenges in the past. The ANC, IFP, and other parties have expressed their commitment to working together for the betterment of the province and its people. However, it remains to be seen how this coalition will navigate the complexities of governing and address the various issues facing KwaZulu-Natal.
