The political landscape in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province has recently been marked by tensions and differences between the various parties represented in government. At the heart of these tensions is the coalition relationship between the African National Congress (ANC), the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).
At a recent meeting at the Radisson Blu Hotel Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal ANC chairperson Siboniso Duma was highly critical of his coalition partners. He deplored the lack of cohesion and cooperation on the part of the DA, describing it as a centre-right party that could undermine the ANC’s objectives. The alliance was more tactical than ideological, he said.
Criticism has also been directed at the IFP, particularly the attitude of Thulasizwe Buthelezi, MEC for Cooperative and Traditional Governance Affairs. Duma accused Buthelezi of deliberately targeting traditional leaders in order to remove them, which the ANC said was disrupting the stability of the coalition government.
Tensions were also fuelled by allegations that Buthelezi had ordered the termination of contracts of workers involved in public works programmes, which had the effect of alienating workers and traditional leaders who supported the government.
Despite these tensions and differences, Duma assured that the coalition government would continue to serve the residents of the province in the coming years. He emphasised the stability of the coalition government, while cautioning that any future cooperation with the DA and the IFP would be conditional and focused on promoting the ANC’s objectives.
ANC provincial deputy chairperson Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu also expressed that the relationship with the IFP was generally positive, with the exception of Thulasizwe Buthelezi, whom she described as a “bad apple”. She stressed the need for all parties to work together despite ideological differences.
Ultimately, these tensions within the KwaZulu-Natal government coalition highlight the complexity of political relationships and the need for collaboration based on mutual respect and the pursuit of common goals. Debates and differences, if managed constructively, can enrich democracy and strengthen democratic governance in the region.