The Long Walk to Local Government Elections

After the May elections, South Africa has experienced a deep dissonance. This dissonance is deeply embedded in both government and opposition. In 3 months, many things have happened that have carried a deep political potency.

After the establishment of the supposed Government of National Unity, we have seen many cracks within this supposedly “United” government. It seems that non-ANC members of cabinet are on a mission to expose government rot, and by extension ANC rot.

The latest of these has been the allegations by the Minister of Agriculture and DA Federal Leader, Hon. John Steenhuisen. He alleges a R500 million deficit in the department. This has caused a public brawl between him and the former minister, Speaker Thoko Didiza. One is tempted to think there is a deeply rooted, understandably so, dissonance in government. Allegations have been thrown around that this is not a government of national unity – it is a grand coalition.

While it is tempting to only see the cracks in government, it is intriguing to watch opposition politics.

Floyd Shivambu has left the Economic Freedom Fighters in a massive move to the uMkhonto weSizwe party. I do not want to discuss the intricacies of the EFF split, yet I cannot help but admit that while the mass exodus has not yet happened, we cannot deny the presence of a dark cloud over the EFF at the moment.

Shivambu’s move to the MKP is in part to build MKP’s cadreship, its political education, its structures, and its ideology. Yet, there is one point rich in revolutionary undertones that this writer cannot ignore: The possible consolidation of left-wing forces for a United Progressive Front.

Shivambu’s move may be a precursor to uniting the left in South Africa and presenting an undivided alternative to the GNU and its member-parties, which bring it to a centre, centre-right position.

Going towards the local government elections, it seems that all parties have begun full throttle campaigns in one form or the other. It will be interesting to watch what happens to each party. Maybe we will begin to see mass realignments of parties, affiliations, and caucuses. 

As EFF heads towards a National Conference, all eyes are on it. Shivambu’s departure from the party has created tension within the party. Malema has consolidated power and is conducting a assessments of EFF structures and systems. There is a toss up. Who will be Deputy President? Will it be Ndlozi? Will the current Secretary General seek that position? Will the mass exodus still happen?

While all this is happening, South Africa bids farewell to her Chief Justice Raymond Zondo who facilitated the State Capture [Zondo] Commission and the historic ushering in of the GNU.

One thing to note is Botswana’s (and by extension SADC’s) position in this new dispensation. It seems Hon. Steenhuisen seeks to renegotiate the Botswana Vegetable Import Ban. While this is in itself not worrisome, it causes one to ask where Botswana stands as a diplomatic and trade associate for the DA and the GNU. 

Furthermore, is Botswana ready for a possibly hung-Parliament? With the struggles observed in her neighbouring country, could a hung Parliament destabilize government and its functions? Does Botswana have the right political and social infrastructure to ensure stability and progress in such a scenario?

While power is still being consolidated, it is intriguing to watch the chess pieces move. All I know, is that it’s a long walk to the local government elections (which will probably determine how things move towards the next general elections).