(July 9, 2024 – EPC, Brussels)
Speakers:
- Steven Gruzd, Head of African Governance and Diplomacy Programme and the Russia-Africa Project, South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA);
- Delphine Malard, Deputy Head of Division for Southern Africa and Indian Ocean, European External Action Service;
- Christopher Vandome, Senior Research Fellow, Africa Programme, Chatham House
Moderator:
- Amanda Paul, Deputy Head of Programme and Senior Policy Analyst, European Policy Centre
The recent election in South Africa marked a historic turning point, as for the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994, the African National Congress failed to secure a parliamentary majority. This situation led to the formation of a coalition government that includes parties with diverse agendas. During this conference, various experts discussed the domestic and foreign policy priorities of the new national unity government led by re-elected President Cyril Ramaphosa. All the speakers evaluated the viability of this new coalition, the potential challenges as well as the implications for relations with the European Union.
Context and formation of the government
Amanda Paul, the Moderator and Senior Policy Analyst at European Policy Centre, presented the context of the recent elections. She explained that the ANC did not manage to secure a parliamentary majority, a surprising result that required the formation of a coalition government with 11 parties. Christophe Vandome, Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House’s Africa Programme, discussed the implications of South Africa’s new coalition government following the recent elections. Vandome emphasized that while there may be continuity in some aspects of policy, the formation of the new government presents significant challenges. After several weeks of intense negotiations and compromises, this government became the largest and most politically diverse in the country’s history, with 75 ministers and deputies. Amanda Paul mentioned the lengthy inter-party negotiations that delayed the government’s formation. As explained by her, the diversity of the parties within the coalition reflects not only the political complexity of the country but also an opportunity for more inclusive governance. As explained by the speakers, this mix of parties could potentially lead to more balanced political dynamics, forcing actors to find common ground and avoid unilateral domination policies or, as said by Christophe Vandome, the need for consensus among the diverse coalition partners could make it difficult to achieve swift policy implementation.
Internal challenges and perspectives
Steven Gruzd, Head of the African Governance and Diplomacy Program at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), addressed the complexity and internal challenges faced by the coalition. He emphasized that the diversity of parties will make the decision-making process more complex and slower, as each decision will require a consensus to move forward. Gruzd gave the example of the Democratic Alliance (one of the main political parties in South Africa), whose influence was reduced by the ANC by assigning them only six, often minor, ministries. John Steenhuisen, leader of the DA, was appointed Minister of Agriculture instead of getting a more influential position like Foreign Affairs or Trade. This shows a clear strategy by the ANC to dilute the power of their rivals while maintaining the appearance of an inclusive coalition.
Gruzd also noted that this lack of an absolute majority might force the government into more compromises and discussions, which could be beneficial for transparency and democratic participation. He mentioned that the ANC’s election campaign was marked by allegations of corruption and economic stagnation, contributing to their poor electoral performance. This situation could prompt the government to adopt more transparent and inclusive policies to regain public trust.
International relations and global impact
Finally, Delphine Malard, Deputy Head of the Division for Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean at the European External Action Service, described the formation of the coalition government as a major democratic success for South Africa. It shows the ability of political parties to find compromises in a complex political environment. Malard highlighted that this situation presents an opportunity to strengthen the strategic partnership between South Africa and the European Union, as South Africa is the EU’s only strategic partner on the African continent. This collaboration is crucial for addressing common issues such as regional security and economic cooperation.
Malard noted that despite internal changes, South Africa should maintain continuity in its foreign policy, with Naledi Pandor remaining Minister of Foreign Affairs. This continuity is essential for the country’s international commitments, including its planned presidency of the G20 in 2025. She particularly mentioned the recent discussions between the EU and South Africa on economic and security issues, illustrating the importance of this bilateral relationship for both parties. These interactions show how the new government could play a stabilizing and constructive role on the international stage, despite internal challenges.