The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) has finally joined the Multi-Party Charter for South Africa, as revealed during a media briefing in Cape Town on Thursday.
The Multi-Party Charter was launched in August with the aim of uniting political forces with a shared vision. It comprises ActionSA, the DA, IFP, and other minority political parties.
The ACDP’s decision to join the Multi-Party Charter reflects a strategic shift in its approach to the upcoming 2024 election.
In August, the party reportedly declined to participate in the DA’s then-coalition pact, which was later dissolved leading to the birth of the Charter.
However, it has now realised the value of uniting with other parties under the Charter umbrella to tackle the ANC’s stronghold.
“We have signed for a Multi-Party Charter, formed by opposition parties that agree that South Africa needs a viable alternative to the ANC government which has ruined this country,” the ACDP said.
“This Multi-Party Charter for SA is a coming together of opposition parties to lay a framework and rules which will govern a possible coalition post the 2024 elections, should that need arise.
“The Multi-Party Charter for SA is not a coalition, and the ACDP will not form a coalition with the DA or any other political party before the 2024 elections.”
In the run-up to the 2024 elections, the Charter faces the challenge of gaining majority support across the country.
Call to South African voters
In a joint statement released on Thursday, the Charter parties called on South Africans to verify their voter registrations for the 2024 elections.
It emphasised that only through unity could they hope to unseat the ANC and usher in a capable, accountable, and caring government that can address the challenges South Africans face.
“Thanks to initiatives such as the recent coalition study tour of Germany, which several of the Charter Party leaders were able to attend, our shared understanding of how to effectively build a multi-party government that works, continues to grow.
“We call on South Africans to check that they are correctly registered to vote in election 2024.
“Only by uniting will we be able to unseat the ANC and bring in a capable, accountable, caring government that can start to address the pressing challenges facing South Africans,” it said.
