Build One SA (Bosa) leader Mmusi Maimane believes the country is headed towards an imminent coalition reality which should be embraced and regulated.
Maimane said the frustration is that there have been instances of immaturity in many coalitions across local governments — which is by and large more of an indictment of the parties in question, than it is the principle of coalition governments being a more preferable proposition to a corrupt one.
To solve this, the Bosa leader proposes the following:
- Coalition agreements and a clear project plan for the conclusion of those agreements. These documents must have legal authority and clearly outline the policies and distribution of power among the partners.
- Power sharing agreements. These will outline the distribution of ministers and other key roles in the administration.
- Dispute resolution. A special coalition court to develop jurisprudence on this type of government and to prevent some elements of dysfunction. The dispute resolution process will have an internal process and a court-based process.
- One-year freeze on coalition deal renegotiation. This will allow for policy certainty for civilians and markets alike. In the event of findings of corruption, death or other forms of incapacitation, coalition members will select candidates for positions from the party responsible in alignment with the coalition agreement.
From the latest polling data it has become clear that there is virtually no path for the ANC to return to government alone.
— Build One SA (Bosa) leader
Mmusi Maimane
“As the nation gives a mandate, it is my firm view that there will be enough goodwill in the room to use this once in a lifetime opportunity to save South Africa. From the latest polling data it has become clear that there is virtually no path for the ANC to return to government alone.”
Maimane said the current reality required parties that have occupied opposition benches and new ones such as his to collaborate in this unique opportunity to reset the direction of the country.
“That reset opportunity is what is at stake in the next election. We have a window of opportunity to set norms of governance, to close loopholes of corruption and to revitalise the trajectory of this great nation.”
The Bosa leader said it was about time the country released itself from the shackles of the ruling party, citing other African nations who have voted out their liberation movements from government.
“The duration of power of these liberation movements makes them seem, in some ways, like immovable Goliaths who will rule as Jacob Zuma famously said until Jesus comes back. This sometimes makes business and investors, party donors believe that in Africa, particularly in Sadc, you have to simply accept the devil you know and make people deal with them.
“While it may seem that these entities are permanent, we have seen moves away from liberation parties in Zambia, in Ghana, and this has strengthened the democracies and improved the economic prospects of the people.”
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