#IMadeMyMark – Could the upcoming elections result in a coalition government?

The Free Market Foundation based in Bryanston hosted a talk to discuss the possibility of a coalition government following the 8 May elections.

Temba Nolutshungu, a director at the foundation, hosted the discussion to debate whether or not a coalition government would prove to be better for South Africans rather than a government ruled by a party with two thirds majority.

Nolutshungu acts as the foundations’ liaison in Parliament and is familiar with the parties, their leaders and their policies, however, he highlighted that he is apolitical.

‘Will a coalition be better for South Africans?’

Nolutshungu explained that he firmly believes in a principle that any single political party should not have upwards of 60 or 70 per cent of the electoral vote. “My feeling and view was that down the line, that party, being so dominant wielding a two thirds majority that they might be corrupt and this has been vindicated.”

South Africans have been confronted with numerous corruption scandals and Nolutshungu firmly believes that this is because one party, the African National Congress, have held the most seats in Parliament for the past 25 years.

“A two-thirds majority is what has caused many, if not all, the problems that confront us in this country. The high unemployment rate, the high crime levels and corruption on an unprecedented scale… everything is collapsing and it is all a consequence of a two-thirds majority mandate within Parliament that is won on consecutive terms.

“I have said to everybody that this would be the case even if it was the DA [Democratic Alliance] or the IFP [Inkatha Freedom Party] or the Freedom Front that won elections on the basis of a two-thirds majority consecutively.”

Vote for a party not a leader.

Nolutshungu highlighted that an important distinction to be made in South African politics is that a vote is for a particular party rather than just its leader. The proportional representation system used in South Africa dictates that a party is allocated seats in Parliament that are proportional to the amount of votes they received.

“People can only vote for a political party so the political party will have its hierarchy deciding at the end of the day who is going to be a Member of Parliament or not. That situation can be very corruptive whereby you want to carry favour with the party hierarchy which might result in you being a Member of Parliament.”

He said that this system might result in people acting within their best self-interest. “You don’t invest the country’s future in one person, a messiah, whoever it might be.”

An unlikely scenario.

Nolutshungu said, ” A scenario which would show that there is going to be accountability and consequences for the Members of Parliament whose hands have been found from time to time in the cookie jar would see the ANC’s majority being reduced to 50 per cent, which is highly unlikely.”

He said that he believes this will have a considerable impact on the country and although he believes it is improbable he does not rule out the possibility. He added that the remaining 50 per cent could be divided among the various political parties, some of which might only have one or two members in Parliament.

“I don’t want to do anything to contribute to the ANC’s demise but I am looking at it from the perspective of what would be in the best interest for the country.”

He added that before the municipal elections in 2016 it had been inconceivable that certain parties would work together, however, it was necessary. He said that in the event that this happens in the upcoming elections, parties will need to set aside their ideological differences to co-govern.

“I can imagine in this scenario that the heads of various political parties would say, ‘Okay, it is horse-trading now, let’s talk about the various ministries and portfolios’.”

Nolutshungu concluded that he firmly believes that it is in the best interest of the country to move away from a dominant party.

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https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/204606/accountable-ruling/