OPINION: Youth must find their voice in coalition politics before 2024, writes Wandile Ngcaweni
This past weekend the official opposition, the Democratic Alliance , concluded its elective congress, and John Steenhuisen was re-elected as the leader of the party.
The transparency regarding their plans is also giving the perception that the party will lead a stable coalition, unlike their sworn enemies - the ANC and EFF, who appear to be planning their coalition in dark corners. As coalitions become the norm, South Africans have reluctantly entertained the unmet expectation that politicians and civil servants will quickly learn how to enter into and maintain functioning alliances across the political divide, and to reach policy and ideological sacrifices for a chance at effective co-governing. All while leading society and delivering services.
The MISTRA book; Marriages of Inconvenience: The Politics of Coalitions in South Africa suggests that, done right, coalition governments can still deliver socio-economic development to all South Africans. There is evidence in countries such as Germany that it is possible. Young people need to find it fashionable to exercise their constitutional right to vote. Politicians and political parties need to govern better in coalition partnerships for youth to believe in the power of the democratic process of voting.
We saw the outcome of electoral dissatisfaction bring more coalitions to municipalities across the country in 2021. MISTRA research has shown how disruptive coalitions are to policy continuity and coherence. It is for this reason that young people as citizens and those in political youth formations cannot avoid learning more and having a position on coalition debates in their localities or political parties and organisations.
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