Mimi Mefo Info’s Post

Thank you Christian Franken, a new intern at Democracy Investments, for the following update and summary of the recent election in South Africa. The 2024 South African Election: A Summary On 14 June 2024, millions of South Africans cast their votes in the most momentous election in the country’s 30-year history of dominant party democratic rule. In power since the democratic transition in 1994, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) failed to get the majority vote it needed to cement its power for another 5 years in government. This necessitated the formation of a coalition government – a first for South Africa – and a period of tense negotiations ensued as a multitude of opposing parties and ideologies clashed, prompting fears of violent demonstrations and the ANC’s refusal to leave office. To the elation of many South Africans, the ANC accepted its defeat, and a peaceful transition followed suit. Choosing pragmatism over populism, the ANC joined forces with the official opposition, the Democratic Alliance (DA) and shunned the illiberal parties whose inflammatory remarks made headlines in the months leading up to the election. Joined by other smaller parties, the new Government of National Unity is as interesting as it is novel. The state-centric ANC and the mostly pro-market DA are two unlikely allies and only time will tell how their union will play out. Nonetheless, it is evident that despite its imperfections, South Africa’s democracy is far from broken. The reconciliatory attitude of Nelson Mandela, that vanquished the specter of Apartheid in 1994, is alive and well. https://lnkd.in/gFZ79iCv

South Africa is a very interesting country. Being more relevant at international and African levels than its mere economic indicators may predict. It is also very relevant in the development of #SocialEconomy, with initial policies after the end of Apartheid strongly promoting cooperatives and then solid, pioneering support for Social Economy, including a landmark conference in 2009 with ILO. This resulted in the drafting of a Green Paper in 2019 in which I collaborated. However, the difficult path of addressing inequality while confronting multiple challenges has taken a toll on the trust in the heirs of the great Nelson Mandela, and with that, it seems #Socialeconomy is less relevant among their policy priorities. Maybe this is also the result of tensions between two different ways to approach both inequality and social economy... https://lnkd.in/d48Bf7gT

Factors that have contributed to the rise of H.E. Bassirou Diomaye Faye in Senegal: 👉 A Robust Senegalese Constitutional Council: The Constitutional Council of Senegal played a pivotal role in the recent presidential elections by upholding constitutional integrity. When former President Macky Sall attempted to postpone the presidential poll to December through a law, the judiciary swiftly intervened, deeming it unconstitutional and preserving the original election date. 👉Mentorship and Leadership: Faye benefited significantly from the mentorship and endorsement of Ousmane Sonko, a prominent figure in Senegalese politics. Despite Sonko's disqualification from candidacy due to legal issues, his support and guidance bolstered Faye's campaign, highlighting the importance of strong leadership within the political landscape. 👉 Effective Electoral Commission: The Senegalese National Electoral Commission (CENA) ensured the smooth conduct of the elections, setting a commendable standard for electoral transparency and efficiency in Africa. Prompt release of preliminary results within 24 hours showcased a commitment to democratic principles and the will of the people. 👉 Appeal to Youth: Faye's youthful vigor and forward-thinking agenda resonated strongly with the younger electorate, who sought progressive leadership and innovative solutions to contemporary challenges. His ability to connect with and inspire the youth demographic played a crucial role in his electoral success. 👉Grassroots Support and Coalition Building: Faye's extensive grassroots outreach and collaborative efforts with Sonko under the banner of "Diomaye is Sonko" solidified his position as a formidable candidate. Promising to combat corruption and prioritize national economic interests, Faye cultivated widespread support across diverse communities and regions of Senegal. These converging factors created an enabling environment for Faye's candidacy, culminating in his victory in the initial round of elections.

Today's election in South Africa might usher in a new dispensation in the country's history. It is the first election in the new democratic South Africa in which no party might secure an outright majority, and a coalition government might lead the country at the national level. Most people head to the polls with a growing sense that democracy has yet to fully address the legacies of apartheid, and the present government has not fulfilled the promises that came with the new democracy, as evident with the growing insecurity, inequality, poverty, and unemployment persisting for the majority of the population. While the country celebrates 30 years of democracy, many political parties offer different proposals and visions for the future. The various assessments of the past and visions of the future have resulted in immense polarisation and palpable tension in the country. I look at the Mont Fleur Scenarios of 1991-1992, which my colleague Adam Kahane facilitated, to offer four lessons that could transform politics both here in South Africa and on the continent. "We have to, and it is possible, to move forward together," irrespective of political affiliations and ideologies. Happy Election Day 🗳️🇿🇦 Reos Partners Mail & Guardian #Election2024 #Transformativepolity #Inclusivegovernment

South Africa 🇿🇦 could experience its biggest political shift in 30 years since it became a democracy, analysts say South Africans will vote on Wednesday to decide whether their country will take its most significant political step since the moment 30 years ago when it brought down apartheid and achieved democracy. This national election will not be as momentous as the one South Africa held in 1994 — few have been. Then, Nelson Mandela led the African National Congress party to victory as Black South Africans who were the majority were allowed to vote for the first time. It officially ended a half-century of racial segregation under apartheid — a violently enforced system that attracted the world’s outrage — and hundreds of years of white minority rule. But while the ANC still governs in 2024, it is amid rising discontent caused largely by high levels of unemployment and poverty. That could result in a majority of South Africans choosing another party this week over the one that led them to freedom. “Thirty years of South African democracy does not mean we should endure an eternity under the ANC,” John Steenhuisen, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Alliance party, said in the run-up to the election. The ANC won six successive national elections, starting with the one that made Mandela the first Black president in 1994. But from a high of gaining nearly 70% of the vote 20 years ago, it has experienced a steady decline in support while South Africa grapples with deep socio-economic problems, some of which were left over from apartheid. The election will take place in one day, with nearly 28 million people registered to vote across the nation’s nine provinces. More than 50 parties are registered to contest the national election, a record number, and independent candidates have been allowed to stand for the first time. South Africans don’t vote directly for their president, but rather for parties. Those parties get seats in Parliament according to their share of the national vote and lawmakers elect the president, who has always been from the ANC because of its parliamentary majority. ... [AP]

The traditional leadership system in Zimbabwe, once a symbol of cultural heritage, is now a contested space. Accusations of partisan behaviour cast a shadow on their legitimacy. Bribery, intimidation, and the suppression of dissent create an uneven playing field, favouring the ruling party. This undermines the very foundation of a democratic society – free and fair elections. Restoring faith in the system requires a multi-pronged approach. Strengthening legal frameworks, establishing independent oversight committees, and fostering a culture of neutrality among traditional leaders are all crucial steps towards a more democratic Zimbabwe. Read Barnabas Thondhlana's piece on the matter: https://lnkd.in/dNddkMfW

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed former opposition leader John Steenhuisen as Minister of Agriculture on Sunday, bringing the Democratic Alliance and other parties into his new coalition cabinet after the ANC failed to secure a majority vote for the first time in over three decades. This marks a significant shift in South Africa's political landscape, as Ramaphosa now heads a diversified government with ministers and top officials from different parties forming a coalition. This coalition government was a necessity for Ramaphosa to retain the presidency, illustrating the compromises required in a multi-party system when a majority vote is not achieved. This development prompts a broader reflection on the role and impact of coalition governments in democracies. For instance, Kenya's coalition government in 2007, where President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga shared power, splitting cabinet positions equally, showcased how coalition structures can provide a platform for inclusivity and stability in times of political uncertainty. Such arrangements can foster a more representative government, where different political voices and perspectives are considered, potentially leading to more balanced and comprehensive policy-making. However, the effectiveness of coalition governments is a subject of debate. On one hand, they can promote democracy by ensuring that a wider range of views are represented and that power is not monopolized by a single party. On the other hand, coalition governments can also lead to compromises that dilute strong policy actions and create potential conflicts among diverse political agendas. In South Africa's case, the coalition government led by Ramaphosa will be a test of how well such a structure can function in practice, balancing the need for effective governance with the imperative of political inclusivity. As we observe this unfolding political experiment, it raises important questions about the future of democratic governance: Is a coalition government a viable solution when majority votes are elusive, or should it be adopted more broadly to ensure that all voices, including those of the opposition and minor parties, are represented in the governance process? The answer may lie in how well South Africa navigates its new political landscape, potentially setting a precedent for other nations grappling with similar democratic challenges. #iumedia #southafrica #politics #democracy #leadership #southafrica

🌍💬 What a difference in dynamism between Senegal and the DRC in terms of political governance! 🚀 Senegal is moving forward quickly with effective reforms, while the DRC is struggling in its political struggles. How to encourage progress and innovation? #Governance #Politics #Change

With elections over, #SouthAfrica faces crucial governance choices: a coalition for economic growth with ANC-DA-IFP or one for political stability with ANC-MK. What lies ahead for the nation? Dive into the latest ISS Today article for an in-depth exploration: https://lnkd.in/gzvhcCff

South Africa seems more like Zimbabwe these days. .:. A humiliating general election for the African National Congress has pitched South Africa into the most volatile political environment since mass bloodshed threatened to derail the first free vote 30 years ago. With 99.9 per cent of voting districts declared, Nelson Mandela’s former party was left with just over 40 per cent of the vote, well short of the majority needed to govern. The ANC must now haggle with enemies across the political spectrum to shore up its position. A stagnant economy, corruption scandals and record levels of crime and unemployment saw the ANC punished. Mr Ramaphosa is now ­huddling with senior ANC figures – his own position looking fragile – to consider the permutations of a range of coalition choices. “There are no brilliant options, only some less worse ones,” said Tony Leon, a co-founder of the Democratic Alliance, in second place on 21 per cent. Negotiating with the investor-friendly DA and its mostly white leadership would be the preferred option of Mr Ramaphosa, and his best chance of surviving. “For the ANC figures who want to keep the corrupt taps flowing, the DA will be an un­acceptable partner,” said William Gumede, head of the Democracy Works civic foundation. Propping up the ANC would also be hard for the DA to sell to its voters. Mandla Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela and an outgoing ANC MP, said “different ideals” meant a marriage with the DA would never work. A way to soften the DA option would be to include smaller parties in the mix, analysts said, such as the Zulu ­nationalist Inkatha Freedom Party, and pitch ANC-DA co-­operation as a government of ­national unity, invoking the spirit of the first Mandela term. On the other side is the ANC breakaways: Mr Zuma’s MK with the third biggest national share and the radical anti-capitalist Economic Freedom Fighters led by Julius Malema. The prospect of either firebrand as kingmaker, calling for land confiscations and the nat­ionalisation of mines, is panicking the markets. Mr Malema, 43, a former ANC youth leader, was open to co-­operating with any party, he said after the final tally put his EFF party in fourth with 9 per cent, but ­demands would include controlling the Treasury and no compromise on its “cardinal principle” of seizing white-owned land. Despite the uncertainty, the new political landscape has been hailed by some as a much-needed change. South Africa is the continent’s most developed economy but also one of the most unequal. Voter apathy, particularly among the young, for an election that was potentially as consequential as the first in 1994, is a concern. Thirteen million eligible people did not register to vote, and 11 million who did register stayed away. .:.