SOUTH AFRICA — Following the recent elections, the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) has outlined its strategic position for future coalitions in major metros like the City of Johannesburg. ACDP spokesperson Norman Fana Mkhonza confirmed the party’s willingness to negotiate with former allies while firmly ruling out any partnership with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
At a post-election media briefing attended by representatives of the ACDP and the Freedom Front Plus, Konza assessed the electoral process as highly successful. He stated that election day and the preceding two days of special voting proceeded smoothly. Konza commended the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) for its effective management of the process, despite the challenges presented by the concord ruling. The ACDP also praised the security cluster for their prompt and effective intervention in areas that experienced incidents, specifically noting the situation in River Valley.
Looking ahead, the ACDP anticipates growth in its electoral support based on current indications. Regarding governance in key metropolitan areas, Konza emphasized that coalition governments are the inevitable reality of South African politics. The party remains open to negotiating with the same political parties it collaborated with during the 2021 to 2026 term.
However, Konza drew a firm boundary regarding potential partners, explicitly excluding the EFF from any future negotiations. He cited the EFF’s controversial rhetoric, specifically the “kill the poor, kill the farmer” slogan, as fundamentally incompatible with the ACDP’s values. “In a country where 70 people are dying daily, you cannot afford to promote slogans like that,” Konza stated. He emphasized that while the party respects the concord ruling, it will not compromise on this moral and practical stance.
Addressing other potential coalition partners, the ACDP expressed a strong desire for the Democratic Alliance (DA) and ActionSA to resolve their differences. Konza noted that the collapse of the previous coalition arrangement was directly attributable to infighting between these two organizations. He urged both parties to mature, set aside their pride, and prioritize the needs of residents to ensure a sustainable and effective coalition government moving forward.
