By REGINALD KANYANE
The Democratic Alliance (DA) and Member of Parliament (MP), John Steenhuisen said as the dust of the elections settle, they can start to see the way forward more clearly. Steenhuisen, who addressed the nation on Sunday, said the people have spoken.
He further said the voters have not given an outright majority to any party, thereby demanding cooperation from their political leaders. Steenhuisen added that with this historic result, the country has arrived at the next great fork in the road of the long and complex history.
“As we digest the results of the 2024 elections and their implications, I know that many of you are feeling uncertain and anxious about the future. Yet, it is important to remind ourselves that we have faced times of even greater uncertainty before.
“Throughout our history, South Africans have overcome seemingly impossible odds. Together, we have done it before and we must now do it again. Just over a year ago, I spoke to you from the same venue in Midrand, where the election results are currently being finalised,” he said.
Steenhuisen said following his re-election as Federal Leader, he committed the DA to the formation of a unified opposition bloc that became known as the Multi-Party Charter. He said throughout the election campaign, he encouraged voters to support the DA and the Multi-Party Charter to ensure that they achieve a collective majority of 50% plus one to form a new government.
“While the DA grew nationally and in six provinces, the Charter unfortunately did not collectively achieve majorities at national or provincial levels. Despite this fact, the DA is grateful to our MPC partners, and we remain committed to working constructively with those that are prepared to stand with us in putting the country first at this perilous time.
“During the same speech from the DA’s Congress last year, I also indicated what the DA’s position would be in a scenario where the ANC loses its majority and the MPC falls short. At the time, I said that if this scenario materialises – the DA will make it our number one priority – and do absolutely everything in our power – to prevent an ANC-EFF Doomsday Coalition from taking power,” said Steenhuisen.
He said in the 14 months since he spoke those words, the rise of the MK Party has only added to the urgency of this commitment. Steenhuisen said the reality is that the DA is the only party that foresaw this risk, and that spoke openly and honestly with voters about it.
“And so, it has come to pass. Based on current projections, a combination of the ANC, the EFF and MK have the numbers to take power nationally, as well as in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. The bottom line is that, collectively, the ANC, EFF and MK have the numbers to take power, while the Multi-Party Charter does not.
“This is not the outcome that we wanted, but it is the outcome we must now deal with. The DA will not bury our heads in the sand. We will face up to this challenge, for that is the task of leadership. All throughout the election campaign, the DA undertook to rescue South Africa from the Doomsday Coalition,” he said.
Steenhuisen said they will now do their level best to do exactly that. He said they will do so for the people, who voted for them and for the people of South Africa as a whole.
“As a result, I can today announce that the DA’s Federal Executive has unanimously adopted a resolution to initiate exploratory talks with other political parties that share a commitment to the South African Constitution, to identify options for the formation of governments at national and provincial level where no party has obtained an outright majority.
“To facilitate this process, the Federal Executive has appointed a negotiating team composed of Helen Zille, Ivan Meyer, Siviwe Gwarube, Alan Winde, Tony Leon and Ryan Coetzee to facilitate the engagement with other parties. The purpose of these initial talks is to gather information on the options that are available to the DA as we seek to rescue South Africa from Doomsday,” said Steenhuisen.
The Guardian 