The Coalition Crisis: An Outsider’s Look

After the massive electoral event in South Africa, a coalition was formed. While it is branded as a Government of National Unity (which from now on will be referred to as a GNU), there has been great controversy around the branding of the coalition.

While the name Government of National Unity might inspire a hope in the minds of the citizens, it might not capture the essence of the current form of government.

In an intriguing turn of events, that is not all too surprising, the parties of the GNU do not stand as united as their name would suggest. 

It seems that the Democratic Alliance has tiered itself between the ‘DA in government’ and the ‘DA as a party’, according to JJ Tabane. While the DA stands as a member of government, they still stand as a party in pursuit of power. While they voted for a Ramaphosa presidency, there is little confidence in the security of the ANC in the presence of the DA. 

It has been alleged that ANC ministers are not happy with the work of ministers from other parties including Hon Gayton McKenzie, President of the Patriotic Alliance. It is said that the ‘hit the ground running’ attitude from the non-ANC ministers is making the ANC ministers look bad.

One must admit that coalition governments have the capacity to keep member parties on their toes. While there may be many tensions in policy, members of government are forced to deliver. On a very basic level, this makes their party look good.

Hon. Groenewald, the President of the FF+ and the Minister of Correctional Services, is an example of a “new air”. A raid that he commissioned exposed the rot in the correctional services system. The Minister of Home Affairs (DA) seeks to bring change to the system and improve processes in his department. These, amongst many others, are examples presented by Mr JJ Tabane (in an interview with Sizwe Mpofu Walsh) of how new ministers from new parties can bring a newness to government.

Is this truly a unified government? Or is the purpose of the name to ease tensions and soothe the voters? 

It must be said that a disposition such as this must be observed critically, to ensure that the integrity of government is preserved and promoted. JJ Tabane continued to suggest that it is our duty to seek accountability from this government.

While eyes are on the GNU, the Progressive Caucus experienced a bump. The Deputy President of the Economic Freedom Fighters, Floyd Shivambu, has resigned from all duties and deployments in and from the party, and from the party itself, to join the uMkhonto weSizwe party (MK). While this news devastated the party and its leader, CIC Julius Malema, it also complicated the political atmosphere in the progressive caucus. While speculations run rampant, it remains a great possibility that many other members and leaders of the EFF will follow the former DP. Will Shivambu return to Parliament under the MK party banner? Will the EFF and MK enjoy a fruitful and peaceful relationship in establishing a progressive opposition front against the GNU? A reality of a coalition crisis is evident both in government and in opposition; yet, it must be acknowledged that this crisis is probably a symptom of a deeper political crisis.

As Botswana heads towards elections, the political atmosphere is intriguing. The campaign machinery is quite slow, with the ruling BDP’s manifesto still in the pipelines. While many things still lag behind, alongside a reality of unempowered pre-election pollsters, the question remains: Who will win?

While many project a BDP win, and others project an opposition victory, a reality remains; Botswana could be faced with a ‘hung parliament’. With a First Past The Post electoral system, things might be a little more complicated.

If this were to happen, it would be interesting to observe who would coalesce with whom. 

Is Botswana’s leadership responsible and mature enough to handle a coalition? Are they able to bury the hatchet for the sake of governance? Are the people of Botswana able to hold government too account if it comes to this? Or would it be a coalition crisis?