The 11 parties to the Multi-Party Charter (MPC) for South Africa warned on Thursday that an opportunity to bring in a new government to get South Africa moving forward may not come again in the 2029 elections.

Parties held a joint registration event in Johannesburg, to encourage all eligible voters to use the February 3 and 4 registration weekend to register and vote for change in the 2024 general election later this year.

The MPC claimed that it was “unlikely” that the African National Congress (ANC) would respect the rules of democracy once they were no longer assured of winning elections.

“Much like Zanu-PF in Zimbabwe, the ANC will find ways to steal the vote to stay in power, just like they have stolen so many other things from South Africa. So, 2024 is the nation’s golden opportunity to install a new government and get rid of the ANC,” the MPC said.

The MPC appealed particularly to young people to register this weekend to vote for “a better future for themselves”.

It noted that this year’s election was the one time that power lay in the hands of the people rather than in the hands of politicians.

“2024 is the one time that ordinary South Africans can bring the change they want to see – peacefully at the ballot box. But they can only bring that change if they are registered to vote. The future is literally in your hands. 2024 is without doubt a critical moment in South Africa’s history,” it said.

The MPC highlighted that for the first time since 1994, there was a “realistic, credible pathway to power” for an alternative government to replace the ANC.

The MPC explained that under President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration, South Africa’s decline has accelerated, with every measure of socioeconomic wellbeing moving decisively in the wrong direction. Unemployment, crime, poverty, suffering, and the cost of living are all increasing, the parties said, and warned that “things can still get a lot worse”.

African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) president Kenneth Meshoe accused the ANC of destroying the country, saying the charter was preparing to undo the damage caused by the ANC.

He added that the MPC was also ready to make South Africa one of the best countries in the world.

He said the ACDP wouldnever stand with the ANC and the Economic Freedom Fighters, saying it disagreed with the 'kill the boer' chant, for example.

“The song kill the boer, kill the farmer is hate speech, that is the position of the ACDP. We will never agree with the song, it does not matter what any courts say that claims it is not hate speech or the Human Rights Commission says it is not hate speech. ACDP says it is hate speech. We disagree with them,” said Meshoe.

Inkatha Freedom Party president Velenkosini Hlabisa noted that the MPC believed that South Africa could secure change for the better.

“And we believe it can be done now. 2024 is the moment for South Africans to fundamentally change the trajectory of our country, by unseating a failed government and empowering a new leadership,” he said.

GOVERNMENT WITH VALUES AND PRINCIPLES

Hlabisa noted that for the first time in 30 years, since the 1994 elections, the ANC was likely to lose the majority, saying if that happened, a coalition of opposition parties stood ready to form a new government.

“We have not linked up randomly, but have carefully chosen the people we will work with, ensuring that the government we form is underpinned by values, principles and solutions that the IFP champions. It goes without saying that we all want change,” he said.

Hlabisa pointed out that the youth were suffering the most with a failing education system that barred them from developing their potential.

He added that a failing economy kept youth from finding work.

“Quite clearly, change is needed. But not every party contesting this election can bring change. The power behind each of the parties in the Multi-Party Charter is the fact that, together, we can form a government. Instead of just talking on the sidelines, we are able to get in the game, take the ball, and run with it,” said Hlabisa.

ECONOMIC GROWTH

In the lead-up to the elections, the Multi-Party Charter committed to prioritising the growth of the economy and the creation of jobs, ending loadshedding and achieving energy security.

The MPC will also look into the achievement of law and order that combats crime, corruption and drugs.

It wants to ensure quality education and deliver basic services through high-quality infrastructure.

The MPC will also prioritise public service, quality healthcare and build a social relief framework for South African households living in poverty.