ROAD TO 2024 ELECTIONS
Who will lead the Moonshot Pact? Seven opposition parties kick off national coalition convention
Following weeks of discussions, seven opposition parties vying to take power after the 2024 elections are set to participate in a national coalition convention in Kempton Park. Who will be appointed to lead the ‘Moonshot Pact’ will be a key discussion point.
Opposition parties will hold discussions on power sharing at a multiparty national convention on 16-17 August as they explore how to create a formidable coalition in the event that the ANC drops below 50% in the 2024 election polls.
The DA, IFP, Freedom Front Plus (FF+), ActionSA, United Independent Movement (UIM), Independent SA National Civic Organisation (Isanco) and the Spectrum National Party will be attending the gathering, which will be held at Emperors Palace and will be chaired by Professor William Gumede.
The FF+ has already disclosed that its preferred candidate to lead the Moonshot Pact and its likely presidential candidate is IFP leader Velenkosini Hlabisa, despite the DA being the official Opposition.
Daily Maverick understands that the DA holds the same sentiment and that its leader John Steenhuisen is gunning for the deputy president position, which, if he is elected, will see him becoming the leader of government business.
The DA has on several occasions explained that it has no expectations to lead the pact, despite it being its brainchild. The party says it also does not believe that because it is the official Opposition, it is obliged to be in charge and has instead pushed a stance of equal partnership.
Read more in Daily Maverick: ANC says DA’s ‘Moonshot Pact’ is costing it votes in KwaZulu-Natal
Speaking to Daily Maverick on the eve of the convention, ActionSA’s national chair, Michael Beaumont, explained there had been no discussions around the leadership of the overall pact over the 12 weeks that they have held consultative meetings.
While staying mum about whom the party will be backing, Beaumont set out ActionSA’s thoughts on the convention and possible coalition agreement.
“There will be a debate about power sharing, but we do not believe that the biggest party should be the one leading. It should be based on principle. So, if ActionSA has the strongest candidate, they should be put forward.
“At a later stage we will measure the popularity of each leader with the public and that will also be considered,” he said.
The president of the UIM, Neil de Beer, expressed the same sentiment, saying that it was not obvious that Steenhuisen would automatically be at the helm.
“We are going to be meeting each other for the first time physically, so it cannot be that there are talks about which political party will be leading. All this talk about John and the DA being the big brother is utter rubbish. I will not allow that,” De Beer insisted.
Read more in Daily Maverick: Nkandla, we have a problem — Moonshot Pact takes shape, aiming at the ANC/EFF in 2024
The Institute of Race Relations (IRR) is expected to make its own representations at the convention.
“A thriving South Africa is within reach. Simple, practical reforms can spark significant growth, inviting investment, reviving the economy and restoring jobs and dignity for countless citizens. Adopting a non-racial, pro-growth policy plan like that of the IRR is the right thing to do,” said the organisation’s head of strategic communications, Hermann Pretorius.
The formation of a coalition pact by opposition parties is an initiative that started with the DA. Following his re-election at the party’s national conference in April 2023, Steenhuisen announced that the DA would be forming what was dubbed a Moonshot Pact, comprising smaller, like-minded parties working together.
Steenhuisen believes it is a realistic prospect that the ANC will drop below 50% in next year’s national election, as well as in some provinces, which allows the DA to play a part in ensuring that the ANC does not govern.
He has continuously warned against the possibility of an ANC-EFF marriage in 2024, which he reckons would be to the detriment of the country. DM
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All good talk, but nobody discusses the biggest challenge, which is to persuade voters that the current nincompoops must be ousted. I see no coherent campaign to use marketing and persuasion principles to influence the millions of people who repeatedly vote for ANC/EFF, in spite of overwhelming evidence of failure. The words “power sharing” have got nothing to do with booting out the mamparas.
It’s a good start though, despite Rise Mzanzi not being part of it.
Agreed. And momentum will be significant if Rise Mzanzi get on board.
They don’t need to argue. Our constitution as it stands is sound. Cadre employment is probably the only thing that needs to be changed. Then it needs to focus on corruption and quality of work, that’s it. Just those 3 things will put the country back on track, without the need to focus on the differences between the parties.
After the disruptive suggestion that there will be an ANC/DA pact to govern post the next election, driven by the certain journalists and political movements, is it not surprising that the PA is not listed as an attendee at the formative meeting? Maybe that nimble footed dancer Mackenzie will miss the first dance and watch the show before stepping out?
rotating chairperson, using one agenda they have all agreed upon. leave all egos at the entrance and do what is best for the country, not each one’s supposed supporters. there is huge talent in each party. pick the best, not the leader necessarily, as they have leadership business of their own to be concerned with. Think South Africa and its people not yourselves.
I could not agree more with you Rory. Egos seem to be part of party politics and not the ‘PEOPLE FIRST’.
Enough of that already and get on with the right people for the work required and always in the best interests of the South African people!!
Well stated Rory Macnamara but sadly unlikely.
Well said Rory. For me, it sounds quite positive, but then it’s politics so anything could happen. I reckon that all they have to do is to use our pretty great constitution – with maybe some help from Zondo or others – as the simple basis of everything they ‘re talking about, which should be a good continuation of these initial talks. Or am I being naive?!
Well, whatever transpires it seems the men stay in charge. Sigh.
Erm, and where does Zille stand in all this for you?
Yes, one woman who is not “in charge” and we are supposed to be what? Grateful?
If both the moonshot coalition and the ANC fail to get over 50% do the members of the former simply leave the ANC and the EFF little alternative but to form a Government? Either the moonshot parties must collectively attempt to form a coalition with the ANC or individual members must be free to do so. ActionSA by attempting to tie the hands of the DA is not considering what the least bad alternative is for the country.
If all the parties are willing to forget about the proper ego and are able to choose the objectively best persons in the leadership positions, it might work. After a long life I unfortunately have my doubts.
For the Moonshot Pact to have a chance, the DA needs to see the light that white men simply don’t have the credibility to lead SA at this point in history. The white “baas” had no place in our country. Secondly, this is a great opportunity to engage the disillusioned ex-UDF comrades, who, by sheer coincidence, is celebrating their 40th anniversary. Thirdly, ask Bantu Holomisa to contest the election under the banner of the UDM. I believe that Bantu has the respect of everyone across the political spectrum to steer this ship. Finally, it’s perhaps time for a 2 party state.
Your attitude is the reason SA is in the state it is! Playing the race card and making everything about race is taking the country nowhere. I hazard to say, you and your attitude is more detrimental to this country – your use of the term “white baas” proves it. Hopefully time is up for hypocrites and racists like you
I just wish all the opposition parties could bury their differences and come together as a united front. For this to work, John Steenhuisen would also need to step back and be replaced by a person of colour either from within the DA or from another party otherwise this will simply be seen as an attempt to introduce a white dominated party back into power (no matter that the DA has a lot of black memebers). If the DA is seen to be white dominated a lot of potential black voters will be lost and that is what is needed to bring the percentages up. Unfortunately white, coloured and indian voters sibe mply do not have the numbers to get the ANC out of power.
Sounds good to me. With a Zulu leader supported by the opposition, attracts the vote of the biggest voting bloc in ZA and gives it a real chance.
Of this grouping, only the DA has a record of running municipalities and a province reasonably competently. The IFP holds the majority in a number of municipalities in KZN, with scant evidence of improved service delivery and financial management. We must move away from seeing voter allegiance as a black/white thing but as a vote for proven competence.