By OBAKENG MAJE
The ANC said the results of National General Elections indicate that, the South Africans want all parties to work together, because no party received an absolute majority to form a government alone at national level, in Gauteng and in KwaZulu-Natal. The ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the ANC has taken the position that they must all act in the interest of the country and its people.
Bhengu-Motsiri, who addressed the media on the outcomes of ANC National Working Committee meeting said, they will work to build national consensus on the form of government that is best suited to move South Africa forward. She further said the ANC is keen and determined to engage all parties and unite the broadest range of sectors of their population behind the urgent need to move the country out of the current potential electoral
stalemate.
“The ANC is driven by the imperative to maintain national unity, stability and to put in place a government that will move with speed to tackle all the pressing socio-economic challenges our nation faces.
“We believe that despite any differences we may have, working together as South Africans, we can seize this moment to usher our country into a new era of hope,” said Bhengu-Motsiri.
She added that informed by these imperatives, the ANC has started engagements with political parties in the country. Bhengu-Motsiri said they have been meeting with all parties that are keen to contribute ideas on how they can collectively move the country forward to form a government that ensures national unity and stability, continues the transformation of South Africa, and safeguards the constitutional democracy.
“The NWC met on 4 June 2024, two days after the announcements of the results by the IEC, to receive a report from the national officials on the meetings held thus far with various political parties.
“These include meetings with delegations from the IFP, EFF, DA, NFP and PA. The ANC has also had engagements with its alliance partners, SACP, COSATU and SANCO, as part of the consultation process,” she said.
Bhengu-Motsiri said the national officials reported to the NWC that the ANC has repeatedly reached out to the MKP for an engagement meeting, with no positive response. She said their door remains open as they continue to reach out to every party that is keen to contribute positively to moving the country forward.
“The ANC NWC discussed the three options as set out by Mbalula on 2 June 2024, which have been further elaborated, including the inherent risks of each option. The NWC held a robust and constructive discussion on the perspective and report from national officials.
“The discussions enriched the ANC perspective and further probed the implications of each option for South Africa and the ANC’s historic mission to build a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and prosperous South Africa for all,” said Bhengu-Motsiri.
She said based on the consensus reached, the NWC will take its detailed perspectives on forming government in South Africa to the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled to take place on 6 June 2024.
Appointment of Premiers
Bhengu-Motsiri said the ANC in line with its Electoral Rules on Monday 3 June 2024, a day after the announcements of results, convened extended sessions of its Provincial Executive Committees (PEC) to nominate candidates for Premiers in the provinces, where the ANC gained a majority or is likely to lead a coalition government.
She said the extended PECs, that included representatives from its alliance partners, were overseen by presiding officers from the ANC Electoral Committee led by Kgalema Motlanthe.
“Each PEC was required to nominate three Premier candidates of which two candidates are women. All candidates will be interviewed in the coming few days by ANC national officials. The final ANC Premiers and Premier candidates will be unveiled early next week.
“The Provincial Legislatures are due to sit on 17 and 18 June 2024, to elect Speakers, Deputy Speakers and Premiers,” said Bhengu-Motsiri.
Conclusion
She said the ANC welcomed the robust debates in society and amongst its members on the way forward, following the outcomes of the 2024 elections results. Bhengu-Motsiri said they have noted documents purporting to be official documents of the ANC being distributed on digital platforms.
“We once again reiterate that any official communication will be published on our official communications platforms and call on persons engaged in misinformation to desist from doing so.
“The current situation has created some uncertainties and risks, but also opportunities to move the country forward, more determined to tackle the problems its people face, more determined to unite and face the future together,” she said.
Bhengu-Motsiri said the ANC is committed to ensure that they unite the people of South Africa to move the country forward
and form a government that reflects the message from the electorate. She said they must work together and many other democracies, who face similar challenges of forming a government often take months of uncertainty to reach a conclusion.
“The ANC remains committed to ensure that we build a national consensus to avoid any uncertainty that can lead to instability.
The ANC NEC will come with a clear determination of the way forward and will engage alliance, civil society and all South Africans on our view about the immediate next steps and the
future.
“We will make further announcements about the NEC meeting and opportunities for the media to engage in due course by way of media advisory. Let’s do more together,” Bhengu-Motsiri.
The Guardian 