A group of ANC members opposed to the party forming a coalition government with the DA has taken its protest to the venue of the national executive committee (NEC) meeting.
The NEC is currently meeting at the Birchwood Hotel and Conferencing Centre in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg, to discuss a way forward after the general elections last week.
Among others, the special NEC meeting is discussing coalitions and premier candidates.
Scores of ANC members dressed in their party regalia and waving placards were singing and chanting struggle songs outside the meeting venue.
Also present at outside of the venue were police officers, who were stationed to monitor the protest.
Attempt to influence the NEC
ANC member Esethu Hasane said the purpose of the protest was to urge the NEC members not to entertain the possibility of getting into a coalition with the DA.
“Following the outcome of the 2024 elections, there has been an attempt to influence the NEC through the media,” said Hasane.
“We have seen rating agencies issuing media statements warning the ANC not to participate in any coalition that does not involve the DA. That is clearly lobbying and an attempt to influence the ANC.
“We are not here to protest against the ANC or the NEC. We trust that they will make the right decision. We are here to say to them that we object to an ANC-DA coalition.
“Even though they can choose any option to form a coalition, that option should not include the DA. All of us here reject a coalition with the DA alone.
“Anything but the DA. The DA is a threat to the constitution. The DA does not want affirmative action and black economic empowerment.”
An ANC member of the Johannesburg regional executive committee, Thuthukile Zuma, said: “The DA is an enemy of transformation, and they burned our flag a few weeks ago.
“This party only has white interests at heart. It will then be difficult for us to stomach a coalition between the ANC and the DA.”
Flirting with the enemy
ANC member Kamvelihle Goba said forming a coalition with the DA will reverse all the transformative gains that the ANC has attained since 1994.
“We do not agree with flirting with the enemy, which is the DA. Why do they [ANC leaders] want to negotiate with Solomon Mahlangu’s killer?” asked Goba.
“We do not agree with forming a coalition with the DA. By agreeing to such a coalition, we will be pissing on the graves of our struggle heroes.”
For the first time since 1994, the ANC has dropped below 50% during the general elections, which means it has forfeited its majority in parliament.
The DA came in second with 21.81% of the national electoral vote, following the ANC with 40.18%.
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party came in third with 14.58%, and the EFF was fourth with 9.52%.
