Parties press on with 'new-Codesa' talks
The leaders of South Africa's 12 opposition parties will meet on Tuesday to finalise a "problem statement" that will form the basis of a Codesa-like process they are initiating to negotiate consensus on the country's big issues.
United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa said this process could lead to changes to the constitution on issues such as land redistribution, free education and the electoral system if sufficient consensus is reached between the political parties and civil society organisations that will participate in the national convention.
One of the issues on the agenda was a review of the powers and functions of the president "to resolve the over-concentration of power".
The parties working on the draft document for the national dialogue are the African Christian Democratic Party, African Independent Congress, African People's Convention, AgangSA, COPE, DA, EFF, Freedom Front Plus, IFP, National Freedom Party, PAC and UDM.
The ANC would be invited to participate in the dialogue, Holomisa said, and because it would be aimed at tackling the big national issues, the convention should ideally be funded by the state instead of business or private institutions...
There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.
From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.
For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.
Already subscribed? Sign in below.
Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.