Charmza: Progressive Caucus
The decision by the Progressive Caucus (MK Party, EFF, ATM, National Coloured Congress and United African Transformation) not to be part of the government of national unity (GNU) must be commended.
Flowing from the debate of the opening of parliament speech by President Cyril Ramaphosa, it has become obvious that South Africa was on the cusp of having a chorus government without opposition had the Progressive Caucus members heeded the ANC’s invitation for every political party to join the GNU.
Given the well-documented history of abuse of power by politicians when not opposed, it would have been a dangerous place to be in to have a government without opposition for a whole five years.
But with the caucus, the government of the day is not going to get a free pass, and the parliamentary debate this week proved just that.
