An unwieldy national executive born from a rather unholy marriage of convenience – but it might work
July 2, 2024Factors influencing consensus Building and their implications on Multi partyism in South Africa
July 5, 2024By: Stanley Ehiane
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is one of South Africa’s nine provinces and has major cultural, economic, and political importance in the country. KZN operates within South Africa’s decentralised governance structure, which includes considerable authorities and duties for provinces in addition to national and municipal governments. KZN, like other South African provinces, has a provincial government. It has its provincial legislature, which is in charge of enacting laws and monitoring the province’s administration. The Premier of KZN leads the province government, chairing the Executive Council (ExCo), which is made up of MECs (Members of the Executive Council) who supervise several ministries. KZN is further divided into district and local municipalities, each of which has its local government structure in charge of service delivery, infrastructure development, and community governance.
The coalition, also known as the Government of Provincial Unity, brings together the strengths and representation of four political parties to form a stable and collaborative administration. This strategy was essential owing to the fractured electoral results, which necessitated party unity to establish a functioning administration. The coalition members agreed on a governance framework outlining their shared goals and strategies for solving provincial concerns such as economic development, health care, education, and infrastructure improvement. The coalition partners collaborated to secure representation from all parties, with an emphasis on shared governance to successfully solve the province’s difficulties. The coalition was formed since no single party won an overall majority in the provincial elections. To build a stable administration, the parties needed to work together.
The political terrain and dynamics of South Africa have shaped coalition administrations in KwaZulu-Natal, as they have in many other provinces. Following the first democratic elections in 1994, the African National Congress (ANC) became the main political force in KwaZulu-Natal. The Inkatha Freedom Group (IFP), led by Late Mangosuthu Buthelezi, maintained strong support in rural regions and some metropolitan centres, emerging as an important opposition group.
Political fragmentation intensified in the early 2000s, as minor parties and independent candidates challenged the ANC and IFP. However, political fragmentation has intensified, resulting in more coalition administrations at the local level. Parties such as the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), the Democratic Alliance (DA), and smaller regional parties sometimes formed alliances to govern towns where no one party held a clear majority. Recently, KwaZulu-Natal’s political scene has remained vibrant. The ANC has frequently been the largest party, but it has faced challenges from coalitions established by opposition parties, particularly in metropolitan areas and regions with varied demographic and political environments. With the 2024 elections, the KZN government will be led by a coalition, also known as the Government of Provincial Unity. This alliance consists of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), the African National Congress (ANC), the Democratic Alliance (DA), and the National Freedom Party (NFP). The IFP’s Thami Ntuli was sworn in as premier, the first time in two decades that the party has held this office.
KZN emerged from the post-May 29, 2024 general election period with an unusual political position, as the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party surprisingly won 45% of the vote, earning 37 seats in the 80-seat KZN legislature. The IFP has the second-most seats (15), followed by the ANC (14) and the DA (11). The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) gained two seats, while the National Freedom Party (NFP) received one. Without a doubt, Ntuli’s election was the product of a coordinated effort among the coalition parties, which obtained 41 seats, barely beating the MK Party and its ally, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who received 39 seats. The alliance demonstrates a commitment to unity and collaboration since crucial cabinet seats are allocated among coalition participants. This alliance was forced by the electorate’s decision, which did not grant any single party enough votes to rule alone. As a result, a power-sharing agreement was established to maintain the province’s stability and effective government.
The cabinet represents a power balance among the coalition members, with important seats apportioned to guarantee participation from all parties. The cabinet contains major appointments, such as Nontembeko Boyce of the ANC as Speaker and Mmabatho Tembe of the DA as Deputy Speaker. This coalition administration intends to confront the province’s difficulties cohesively, emphasising service delivery and the objectives of the KZN electorate. This system intends to promote collaborative governance and effectively solve the province’s concerns. The alliance was created to offer a stable governance framework following the elections, which yielded no clear majority. The coalition partners agreed on a structure for its governance, with an emphasis on service delivery and electorate objectives. Despite initial worries about stability, the coalition has vowed to work together to carry out their agreed-upon plans.
Coalition politics in KwaZulu-Natal reflect wider developments in South African politics, in which no one party has a consistent dominance throughout all areas, resulting in diverse and sometimes complex local governance systems. Coalition administrations in KwaZulu-Natal have changed in response to shifting political landscapes and demographics, mirroring wider tendencies in South African politics towards multiparty democracy and coalition governance at the local level. These coalitions have changed legislation and governing techniques, affecting people’s lives and influencing political strategy in future elections.
The decision between a provincial government of unity and a minority coalition in KwaZulu-Natal is influenced by a variety of variables, including the political environment, power distribution among parties, and the province’s special requirements and issues. Despite being referred to as a Government of Unity, this coalition functions as a minority coalition in the sense that it was created out of necessity, with none of the parties possessing a majority. To appropriately characterise the present KZN administration, for example, the coalition parties earned 41 seats, barely beating the MK Party and its ally, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), which received 39 seats. Premier Thami Ntuli and his cabinet have emphasised their commitment to working together across party lines to satisfy the needs of the KZN populace while ensuring stability and effective government.
A minority coalition is one in which the ruling party or coalition in KZN does not have an overall majority and must rely on assistance from minor parties or independents to form government. To enact laws and keep the government stable, ongoing discussion and coalition building are required. In a coalition administration, particularly one with minority representation, decisions are frequently made by compromise rather than the imposition of a single party’s agenda. This can result in more balanced and inclusive policies that represent broader social interests. Minority coalitions can help to maintain stability by developing collaboration among diverse political groups. This stability is critical for good governance and ensuring that the government runs effectively with few disruptions. It supports democratic values by recognising political diversity and ensuring that all views are heard during the decision-making process. This increases openness and accountability in government. These explanations demonstrate how a minority coalition in the KwaZulu-Natal Cabinet might improve government efficacy while also promoting inclusion and representation in political decision-making processes.
Dr Stanley O. Ehiane is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Politics and Administrative Studies at the University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana. He writes in his capacity.
