POLITICS WRAP 2024: Elections spawn GNU, MK Party’s meteoric rise, RIP Mboweni, Gordhan & EFF exits
South Africa finds itself in a politically intriguing space, where political parties who had previously chanted for change from opposition benches, have had to knuckle down to the task at hand under a Government of National Unity.
South African flag. Photo: Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY-SA-2.5
JOHANNESBURG – The 2024 political landscape in South Africa has undergone massive shifts, from election disappointment ahead of the formation of the seventh Parliament, to addressing the Government of National Unity (GNU) in the room.
EWN has analysed some notable moments from extensive political reporting this year.
THANDISWA MAZWAI EXPRESSES POLITICAL DISSATISFACTION WITH 'SANKOFA'
Rebel songstress Thandiswa Mazwai did not beat about the bush with her fourth studio album, Sankofa – which is the Twi language of Ghana meaning to reclaim or “go back and get it”.
One of the notable songs that show politicians the middle finger is Kunzima: The Dark Side of the Rainbow. In this production, she waxes lyrical about the abject poverty that South Africans have had to endure for some 30 years into democracy.
In another song, Emini, she urges that thieving politicians vacate Parliament. All of this came with the much-needed vigour to see material change ahead of the 2024 general polls in the country.
During a sit-down with Eyewitness News before the launch of Sankofa, the “wild woman”, as she referred to herself, said: "The last 30 years has shown us that, indeed, power corrupts… absolute power corrupts absolutely”.
ELECTIONS GIVE RISE TO THE GNU
It was during the counting of results that a seemingly different image began to emerge at the Results Operating Centre (ROC) in Midrand after the general elections on 29 May 2024.
The African National Congress (ANC) had been in power since 1994, 30 years to be precise. But it was evident with each hour that its power was dwindling. As a result, the liberation movement failed to secure an outright majority with 40.18% of the votes.
This subjected the ANC to power-sharing talks with opposition parties, resulting in the formation of a GNU.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his 75-member multi-party Cabinet almost two months after the polls – the largest since the dawn of democracy - almost two weeks after deliberations and political wrangling over positions.
The 11 parties in the ANC-led GNU include the Democratic Alliance (DA), Patriotic Alliance (PA), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), GOOD Party, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC), Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus), United Democratic Movement (UDM), Al Jama-ah, Rise Mzansi, and the United Africans Transformation (UAT).
There is currently enthusiasm from ministers coming from different political parties heading key portfolios to make their mark. As competitive and compelling as this sounds, it should benefit the citizenry, at least in an ideal world.
Over the past few months, citizens’ eyes have remained peeled to see the impact of the GNU in the next five years.
The former governing party’s national working committee and the KwaZulu-Natal’s provincial executive committee recently met to reassess their electoral decline in the recent polls. KwaZulu-Natal was once an ANC stronghold.
MK PARTY BECOMES THE METEOR OF SA’S POLITICAL LANDSCAPE
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party was the star of the show at the general elections, owing to their sudden hoist to become the main opposition in Parliament.
The MK Party, with former ANC president Jacob Zuma at the helm, is a breakaway party from the liberation movement.
The party’s name and logo frustrated the ANC. The ANC challenged the matter in court, arguing the MK Party stole its identity, which belonged to its military wing. However, the ANC lost the case against the new kid on the block.
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Moreover, MK Party garnered 14.58% of the national ballot and would launch a court bid challenging the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) credibility. The party tied the IEC’s alleged backhandedness to vote rigging.
The party would later withdraw its court application after it could not submit cogent evidence for its claims.
Not long ago, the party revealed it had in its possession “shocking” evidence of vote rigging.
The party has since welcome new members from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), including Busisiwe Mkhwebane, Floyd Shivambu and Dali Mpofu.
Shivambu was promptly promoted to the secretary-general of the party.
EFF’S DECIMATION AND LEADERSHIP EXITS
The EFF has had a tough year. Its wounds were deepened during and post the election season. The red berets clinched 9.2% of the national votes, taking fourth place after the MK Party.
The party’s poor showing stoked the ire of its leader, Julius Malema, who had no interest in partaking in the GNU. Accountability conversations within the party led to cracks and squabbles – prompting leadership exits. Political commentator Malaika Mahlatsi has deemed the party “the cult of Malema”.
Reeling with the likes of Shivambu, Mkhwebane and Mpofu’s exits, all ahead of the party’s third National People’s Assembly – where new leadership will be chosen over four days, the writing seems to be on the wall that Malema won’t be shaken off from the helm.
EFF's new leadership after the conclusion of the party's National People's Assembly:
1. President - Julius Malema
2. Deputy President - Godrich Gardee
3. National chairperson - Nontando Nolutshungu
4. Treasurer General - Omphile Maotwe
5. Secretary-General - Marshall Dlamini
6. Deputy Secretary General - Leigh-Ann Mathys
NOSIVIWE MAPISA-NQAKUKLA APPEARS IN THE DOCK
Former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has been found wanting for a questionable contract she solicited and allegedly scored kickbacks worth more than R4.5 million.
She faces various charges including corruption, money laundering and racketeering for allegedly bagging the money.
This would see a criminal case instituted against the once-powerful Mapisa-Nqakula. She appeared adamant she was not worthy of jail, citing the dire state of Correctional Services facilities in the country. This is despite having been a Correctional Services Minister in Jacob Zuma’s Cabinet.
ALSO READ: Mapisa-Nqakula's lawyers 'disappointed' State not ready in certain aspects of corruption case
Her first appearance before the dock rendered her fragile, and debilitated, and there was no sign of support from ANC quarters. One prominent person who showed up for moral support was former National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete.
All of this transpired shortly before the elections, pointing to how the politics game is one of self-preservation. No ANC member would want to be seen to be supporting anyone linked to corruption or malfeasance at the time.
Mapisa-Nqakula is currently out on R50,000 nail.
The corruption case against her will return to court on 20 February 2024.
RAMAPHOSA SHUFFLES JUSTICE MINISTER THEMBI SIMELANE
On 3 December, a few months after announcing his GNU Cabinet, Ramaphosa shuffled his ministers.
He moved Justice Minister Thembi Simelane to Human Settlements, on the back of allegations she received a loan from the now-defunct VBS Mutual Bank from a fixer when she was the Mayor of Polokwane in 2016 – which contravenes the Public Finance Management Act.
ALSO READ: Ramaphosa seemingly gives embattled Simelane a lifeline in Cabinet reshuffle
This put pressure on Ramaphosa to at least remove her from the critical Justice Ministry. Some social and political quarters still believe she should be booted out of government. This remains to be seen.
RIP TITO MBOWENI & PRAVIN GORDHAN
On 13 September, former Finance Minister, South Africa Revenue Services Commissioner and Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan died at 75.
His death sent shockwaves across the country and fuelled a great deal of speculation after the announcement of his hospitalisation.
Gordhan’s tenure as Finance Minister would unfold in the State-capture years.
ALSO READ: 'We have lost a leader': Former Minister Tito Mboweni has died
The trained pharmacist, Gordhan will be remembered as a vocal critic, which saw the plundering of state funds under the leadership of former statesman Zuma.
It chipped away at billions of rands at state-owned entities, including Eskom, South African Airways, Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa and Transnet – among others.
On 12 October, another former Finance Minister and South African Reserve Bank Governor, Tito Mboweni, died at the age of 65.
According to his family, he was in the presence of his loved ones during his passing.
At the time, Ramaphosa described Mboweni’s demise as “a great loss”.
Ramaphosa would later announce a Special Official Funeral Category 2 that was later carried out in Tzaneen, Limpopo.
RAMAPHOSA PROMULGATES FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF BELA ACT
President Cyril Ramaphosa on 20 December promulgated the full implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act.
After signing the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill into law in October, Ramaphosa was met with pushback from some quarters of society.
The bones of contention were sections 4 (which gives the department more control over admissions policy) and 5 (which compels school governing bodies to submit the school’s language policy to provincial heads of department for approval).
ALSO READ: DA describes promulgation of BELA Act as win-win for all GNU parties
Ramaphosa delayed their implementation for further consultation.
The BELA Act also seeks, among others, to rid schools of corporal punishment, make Grade R compulsory and address homeschooling.
The new law has opened a can of worms in the form of mixed reactions from various quarters of society, including minority interest group AfriForum, advocacy group Solidarity, commentators and political parties.
Ramaphosa expects Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube to explain how she will practically implement the act.
DONALD TRUMP RETURNS TO WHITE HOUSE
Shortly after his return to the White House, the President-elect of the United States Donald Trump has made a bold threat to Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) nations intending to snub the US Dollar.
He previously served as the 45th statesman of the US from 2017 to 2021.
In 2024, Trump beat Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris by 312 votes to 226.
Harris was roped in by President Joe Biden, whose health compromised the Democrats’ campaign, a few months before the November polls. She would garner support and financial backing from influential people including Oprah Winfrey and Taylor Swift – but it was not enough.
During his campaign trail in September, Trump survived an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania.
ALSO READ: Mashatile says South Africa looks forward to working with Trump
The firebrand has since threatened Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) nations about abandoning the US Dollar after suggestions about a new currency for trade among the BRICS partners.
“The idea that the BRICS Countries are trying to move away from the Dollar while we stand by and watch is OVER,” wrote Trump on social media platform X. “They can go find another sucker!”
He has already hinted at tighter tariffs.
Trump will be inaugurated in January 2025.