Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen noted on Wednesday that the outcome of the Moonshot Pact negotiations must be judged on whether it provides concrete solutions to improve the lives of the South African people.

The DA, together with the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), ActionSA, the United Independent Movement, Freedom Front Plus, Spectrum National Party and the Independent South African National Civic Organisation are holding a two-day national convention on coalition governments to explore ways towards a pact that could possibly drive the African National Congress (ANC) out of power, should it fail to garner more than 50% at the general polls in 2024.

Speaking during the Convention in Kempton Park, Steenhuisen said that on Thursday evening, when the negotiation process is complete, citizens must judge the gathered politicians on whether the outcome promises tangible improvements to their lives.

“Ask whether we are collectively providing solutions to issues like unemployment, loadshedding and crime. If the answer is yes – if these parties emerge with an agreement not only to defeat the ANC but to rescue South Africa – then I ask that you judge it as a success,” he added.

He said the pact seeks an agreement for every town and city in the country.

Spectrum National Party president Christopher Classen said that he prays that all parties currently onboard agree to work together, in a united multi-party coalition after the 2024 elections, with the aim always being to form a new coalition government ready to build a better South Africa, together, rather than divided.

“And to replace the generally corrupt ANC,” he added.

HONEST AND ROBUST DISCUSSIONS

Steenhuisen noted that this was the time for the pact leaders to put aside pettiness, ego and the past, so that they could all focus on the future. He pointed out that many people thought opposition leaders would never get to the point of sitting around the same table to find common solutions.

“Yet, here we are. And now our biggest test looms before us. Over the next two days, we will have honest and robust discussions. But I know that they will be based on the passion we all share for this beautiful country, and for the people who call her home,” he said.

IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa president explained that his joined the pact because it believed that there was still hope for the country, and for the people of South Africa.

“However, if we want things in our country to change, we cannot continue to walk the same path that we have been walking. If we want change, we will have to do things differently. This Convention is about South Africa and its people. This is not an anti-ruling party club. Our reason for convening here is much more important. We do not hate the ANC, we hate what they have done to South Africa,” said Hlabisa.

He noted that the IFP joined the convention to determine how best parties could serve South Africa together, how to bring about much-needed change, and how to make sure that the issues that were important to the country’s constituencies were on the negotiating table.

“The good news is that there is already much that we agree upon. However, as politicians, we cannot bring change alone. We need the support of all South Africans, including civil society,” he said.

He added that he was hopeful that the Pact leaders would engage in positive, constructive discussions that put the priorities of the people of South Africa first.

Last week, the Pact reached out to civil society organisations in the belief that collaboration would result in significant political change.

ActionSA president Herman Mashaba noted that his party was committed to the convention and he revealed that according to a party poll, 91% of South Africans want the convention to succeed.

“The ANC will lose its majority in the elections, and all South Africans know this, but they have never seen opposition parties putting aside differences to actually give them hope,” said Mashaba.

He said ActionSA would deliver some tough messages to the convention over the two days and added that the Pact needed to attract more political parties to build a broad church that could achieve a majority in the next elections.

“There cannot be an ambiguity about removing the ANC, we must define this agreement in a positive vision for South Africa…,” Mashaba asserted.