Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
28 July 2023 | 10:00am SAST
2 min read

Photo Credit: WORDCRAFTANNISA

In this week’s ASRI Report on Radio Islam International, director of programs at the Auwal Socio-economic Research Institute (ASRI), Ebrahim Fakir discussed various issues including the Patriotic Alliance’s (PA) study tour to Israel. The PA, a partner in the Government of Local Unity in Johannesburg Metro Council, embarked on the visit to Israel to gain an insight into managing coalition politics.

“In light of the fact that the PA will be part of a ruling coalition after 2024 we decided to go to Israel to engage with leaders who have experience in managing coalition politics, to learn from them,” PA leader Gayton McKenzie said, according to a News24 report.

The PA’s decision to visit Israel raised eyebrows among political commentators, as Israel’s coalition governments often involve alliances between parties with diverse ideologies. The PA’s study tour comes amid their current coalition arrangements in Johannesburg and other regions, with rumours circulating that they may be seeking broader coalitions at the national level in upcoming elections.

The interview highlighted the conflicting stances of some of the PA’s coalition partners, such as the ANC, EFF, and Al-Jama’ah, who claim to be anti-Israel. Their silence on the study tour added to the perplexity of the situation, leaving many questioning the authenticity of their purported anti-Israel stance.

Fakir shared insights on the challenges that coalition politics poses, especially in a country like South Africa, where political parties have been observed to prioritise narrow agendas over the common good. He highlighted the need for greater political maturity and fidelity to principles, as the success of any regulatory or legislative intervention in coalition politics hinges on the cooperation and commitment of the parties involved.

The interview also touched upon potential interventions to stabilise the coalition system. Proposals included giving the largest party the first opportunity to form a coalition to avoid minority governments formed by smaller parties banding together. Another suggestion involved implementing a legislative threshold, where parties would need to achieve a certain percentage of votes to be entitled to hold executive office. However, these proposals might face resistance from smaller parties who fear being excluded from executive positions.

The overall sentiment expressed during the radio interview was that South Africa’s coalition system may need to undergo a trial-and-error phase to find the best approach for stable governance. Regulatory measures can be useful, but the key lies in nurturing a political culture that fosters cooperation, principled decision-making, and a focus on the public interest.

The recent study tour to Israel by the Patriotic Alliance serves as a reminder that coalition politics can be complex and, at times, contradictory. As South Africa grapples with the challenges of coalition governments, stakeholders and citizens alike call for introspection and reforms to enhance political maturity and effective governance.

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Muallima Annisa Essack here.