There is a possibility that several political parties will campaign under one banner, that of a yet-to-be-formalised “Super-Pact”, in the 2024 general elections. Two days of talks are being held in Johannesburg between the Congress of the People led by Terror Lekota, African People’s Convention led by Themba Godi, and BOSA led by Mmusi Maimane.
Leader of the Independent Citizens Movement Dr Joe Mojapelo led proceedings with a detailed presentation showing actual figures based on previous elections, on how votes of smaller parties are dumped when they don’t make up what’s required for a parliamentary seat. “Imagine having thirty thousand people vote for you but fail to get even a single seat”, questioned Mojapelo.
Mojapelo presented several scenarios including one that involves registering for elections under a new name with one person selected to represent the pact on the ballot paper. “This would require bravery, boldness and courage because this is where we are going to put aside our individual identities and rather contest under a neutral banner that’s easy to sell and may even have more appeal to funders who are currently rejecting us on the basis that we are small and scattered”, said Mojapelo.
This is not the first group of political parties to come together with the aim of forming a pre-election coalition pact in a bid to unseat the ANC which some strongly believe may fail to reach the fifty percent mark in the 2024 general elections.
The DA convened several parties to form what the so-called “Moonshot Pact”, aimed at not just unseating the ruling party but preventing a possible EFF takeover as well. The deal includes the likes of Action SA and several relatively unknown parties.
The PAC and Azapo also held talks about possible cooperation in next year’s elections.
Parties involved in discussions for the establishment of the “ Super Pact” were expected to make an announcement in Johannesburg on Friday.