John Steenhuisen dismisses SACP's anti-worker sentiment, claiming 'DA has generated more jobs than any other party
The Democratic Alliance has rebuffed statements made by the SA Communist Party (SACP), which urged its alliance partner, the African National Congress (ANC), to refrain from collaborating with the DA in establishing South Africa's next government.
Negotiations and coalition discussions have intensified as the ANC reaches out to its rivals to garner support and form the seventh administration, following a significant decline in electoral support, dropping to 40% and relinquishing the majority it has held since the dawn of democracy in 1994.
According to an IOL report on Wednesday, the SACP declared its backing for a Government of National Unity (GNU) under the condition that the Democratic Alliance (DA) is excluded from the arrangement.
SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila unequivocally stated that they would not cooperate with the DA and its affiliates, labeling them as "anti-working-class forces."
In an interview with broadcaster Newzroom Afrika on Wednesday night, DA leader John Steenhuisen remarked that such rigid stances hinder ongoing discussions, which are still in their early stages.
"It's premature. As the DA, we have engaged in discussions, and they (ANC) have their national executive committee (NEC) to deliberate, but adopting absolutist positions at this juncture is unproductive. The truth is, no party commands a majority," Steenhuisen said.
He continued, "On June 17, we must establish a government in South Africa. There will be elections for president and speaker of Parliament. That's why these talks must persist. Additionally, I find it rather peculiar that Mr. Mapaila accuses us of being anti-worker. The DA has facilitated the employment of more workers in the past year than any other party. We've significantly bolstered their ranks."
Steenhuisen cautioned players within the business sector to proceed with caution. "If the forces against constitutionalism and the market unite, the South African business landscape will suffer greatly. We all have stakes in South Africa, including pension funds and economic interests. Rather than adopting rigid positions, let's focus on shaping the future of South Africa," he emphasized.
"We are dedicated to economic growth, poverty alleviation, and upholding the constitutional order. We seek collaboration with parties that share these values. This environment is conducive to South Africa's prosperity," Steenhuisen added.
Earlier in the day, Mapaila reiterated the SACP's stance, emphasizing that the ANC should refrain from forming an alliance with the DA. "We will not collaborate with these forces, nor will we endorse any proposals to collaborate with them," he affirmed.
Mapaila labeled the DA as "anti-people forces" during a media briefing on the outcomes of the May 2024 elections, focusing on coalition arrangements.
He outlined the SACP's preference for a coalition with other parties, allowing the ANC to establish a minority government with GNU characteristics, excluding the DA. "However, this GNU should exclude the DA... We support a minority government with GNU features, excluding the DA-led factions. Our position on coalitions is clear," he emphasized.
Similarly, Mapaila expressed opposition to forming a coalition with the MK party, citing its association with factionalism, state capture corruption, and resistance to accountability, as detailed in the State Capture Commission's report and related Constitutional Court rulings
Negotiations and coalition discussions have intensified as the ANC reaches out to its rivals to garner support and form the seventh administration, following a significant decline in electoral support, dropping to 40% and relinquishing the majority it has held since the dawn of democracy in 1994.
According to an IOL report on Wednesday, the SACP declared its backing for a Government of National Unity (GNU) under the condition that the Democratic Alliance (DA) is excluded from the arrangement.
SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila unequivocally stated that they would not cooperate with the DA and its affiliates, labeling them as "anti-working-class forces."
In an interview with broadcaster Newzroom Afrika on Wednesday night, DA leader John Steenhuisen remarked that such rigid stances hinder ongoing discussions, which are still in their early stages.
"It's premature. As the DA, we have engaged in discussions, and they (ANC) have their national executive committee (NEC) to deliberate, but adopting absolutist positions at this juncture is unproductive. The truth is, no party commands a majority," Steenhuisen said.
He continued, "On June 17, we must establish a government in South Africa. There will be elections for president and speaker of Parliament. That's why these talks must persist. Additionally, I find it rather peculiar that Mr. Mapaila accuses us of being anti-worker. The DA has facilitated the employment of more workers in the past year than any other party. We've significantly bolstered their ranks."
Steenhuisen cautioned players within the business sector to proceed with caution. "If the forces against constitutionalism and the market unite, the South African business landscape will suffer greatly. We all have stakes in South Africa, including pension funds and economic interests. Rather than adopting rigid positions, let's focus on shaping the future of South Africa," he emphasized.
"We are dedicated to economic growth, poverty alleviation, and upholding the constitutional order. We seek collaboration with parties that share these values. This environment is conducive to South Africa's prosperity," Steenhuisen added.
Earlier in the day, Mapaila reiterated the SACP's stance, emphasizing that the ANC should refrain from forming an alliance with the DA. "We will not collaborate with these forces, nor will we endorse any proposals to collaborate with them," he affirmed.
Mapaila labeled the DA as "anti-people forces" during a media briefing on the outcomes of the May 2024 elections, focusing on coalition arrangements.
He outlined the SACP's preference for a coalition with other parties, allowing the ANC to establish a minority government with GNU characteristics, excluding the DA. "However, this GNU should exclude the DA... We support a minority government with GNU features, excluding the DA-led factions. Our position on coalitions is clear," he emphasized.
Similarly, Mapaila expressed opposition to forming a coalition with the MK party, citing its association with factionalism, state capture corruption, and resistance to accountability, as detailed in the State Capture Commission's report and related Constitutional Court rulings
