DA ‘open to possibility of coalition with ANC’

JOHANNESBURG - The DA is open to forming a coalition with the ANC in Gauteng should possibilities for a coalition government open up, said the party’s Gauteng leader, Solly Msimanga.

In an interview circulated on social media, Msimanga said the DA’s voters were open to a coalition with the ANC, but under certain conditions.

This comes against the backdrop of South African politics entering an era of coalitions. ANC numbers have been dwindling over the years, with analysts predicting the ruling party could dip below 50% at the 2024 polls.

“There is a big portion of voters which is saying that you can consider that, but there are clear conditions. This is something that happened recently, it has to be taken to federal council and to congress,” Msimanga said.

He was not available to expand on his views on a possible coalition with the ANC in the next elections.

But former DA mayor Herman Mashaba, who is also the founder of ActionSA, told the DFA’s sister publication The Star that he was shocked by the DA’s posture on a possible coalition with the ANC.

Mashaba said the DA was banking on going into a coalition with the ANC under the leadership of Cyril Ramaphosa. He said it was clear that a vote for the DA was now a vote for the ANC.

“Well, it is very worrying. One has been under the impression that they want to unseat the ANC. There is a reason that some of us left our jobs and now we see these comments,” Mashaba said.

Mashaba said before he left the mayoral seat in Johannesburg, he had learnt that the DA and the ANC had plotted to oust him because he was seen as an EFF mayor.

“I became aware of secret meetings with the ANC and the DA, and they flatly denied my claims. (Helen) Zille confirmed it,” Mashaba said.

Mashaba said a DA-ANC coalition would be a disaster for the country.

“Anyone who is going to work with the ANC, it’s a disaster before it even begins. Cyril (Ramaphosa) is unable to change the ANC, how will he fix the country?” Mashaba asked.