South Africa’s alliance partners have agreed to work together to campaign so that the ruling party, African National Congress (ANC) wins 2019 elections, the party said on Tuesday.
The ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule said this while briefing the media in Johannesburg. The ANC are in alliance with South African Communist Party (SACP), Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and South African National Civic Organizations (SANCO).
The meeting had been called to address some burning issues in the alliance. During Jacob Zuma’s tenure as the ANC president, the alliance relationship deteriorated resulting in Cosatu and SACP calling for his resignation. The two accused Zuma of taking important decisions like Cabinet reshuffle without consulting them.
Magashule said a task team was put in place to review the working relationship of the alliance.
Solly Mapaila, Second Deputy Secretary General of the SACP, said the alliance is looking for an amicable way to relate.
He said, “The alliance is having a discussion to change the way in which the alliance has been operating – towards a democratic consensus seeking approach. The task team will help with framework modalities and the define the character of the alliance.”
Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini said the meeting addressed the weaknesses in the alliance. He said, “We have approached the alliance meeting as a platform to address the issues that were confronting us (alliance). Historical issues are being dealt with. We must work hard towards a clear program of action so as not to repeat mistakes of the past.”
South Africa will hold presidential and parliamentary elections next year.
