Gauteng ANC ready to navigate ‘government of provincial unity’
The ANC’s Panyaza Lesufi has been re-elected as the premier of Gauteng through a deal with other political parties.
Following the conclusion of Friday's special sitting of the Gauteng legislature, during which Lesufi was re-elected unopposed, the ANC in Gauteng briefed the media for the first time since the elections.
The ANC failed to maintain its majority, securing 28 of the 80 seats in the provincial legislature.
It’s followed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) with 22 seats and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) with 11 seats.
ANC provincial secretary Thembinkosi Nciza said all parties were invited to negotiate, but the Freedom Front Plus and Action SA opted not to be part of the engagements.
At the same time, Nciza said they continue to work with the EFF amid tensions between the two parties in Ekurhuleni after newly appointed ANC Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza fired Finance MMC Nkululeko Dunga on Wednesday.
The move prompted EFF leader Julius Malema to give the ANC an ultimatum and threatening to withdraw all its councillors in the shared metros.
READ MORE: Lesufi re-elected as Gauteng premier
Nciza believes this should not affect the work of other metros where they govern together.
“We will engage with the EFF as the ANC in Gauteng because our interest is service delivery. You can’t have a problem of a councillor in Ekurhuleni and negatively impact the citizens of Johannesburg.”
Meanwhile, Lesufi said they are also calling for a second Convention for a Democratic South Africa.
He said their experience in negotiating coalition deals in Gauteng’s hung metros has earned the experience and skill needed to navigate such an arrangement.
“Let’s develop a shared agreement that we are running the government with. It’s a very important tool so that we clear grey areas to manage political parties, address blockages, and break deadlocks. That resolution was sponsored by Gauteng and was adopted by the national executive committee of the ANC.”
In his acceptance speech, Lesufi called on all eleven parties represented in the house to heed the electorate's mandate for collaborative leadership and governance.
“We accept the decision that has been taken by the electorate that each political party should be part of governing our beautiful province.
“I hereby call on all political parties that want to be part of the government of provincial unity to start to prepare for this task,” he said.
Lesufi is expected to unveil members of his cabinet next week.
