How ousting Zuma may have rescued the ANC – experts

Unless the opposition parties come up with a solid strategy to fight the ANC now that Jacob Zuma is not at the helm, they will just continue barking behind the fast rebuilding ruling party.

A political expert said if the Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters, United Democratic Movement and the Congress of the People, among others, wish to beat President Cyril Ramaphosa to the finish line in the elections, they must stay focused.

The fighting among opposition parties and within their ranks has undermined their achievement in uniting against the former Zuma government.

Political analyst Susan Booysen said by continuing to throw stones at each other, these parties were increasing the ANC’s chances of recouping its lost support and doing better in the May polls.

She said the ongoing tit-for-tat between the DA and the EFF and between EFF leader Julius Malema and Cope president Mosiuoa Lekota was damaging the opposition’s strength at a time when some voters could be seeking alternatives to the ANC.

This week, Malema indicated the EFF would no longer cooperate with the DA because it had portrayed his party as corrupt. The latest Ipsos Markinor survey showed uncertainty was rife.

“Many people are not sure which party to vote for, giving political parties the opportunity to try to influence voters before the election,” it said. The tension among parties centred on policies – especially land expropriation.

The DA and Cope opposed it, the EFF, ANC and a slew of moderate and left-wing parties in parliament are in favour of it. Last year, the DA and EFF ended their coalition in Nelson Mandela Bay municipality. Similarly, their coalitions in Tshwane and Joburg are under threat due to disagreements.

“The only way opposition parties can recover their strength is to unite on policy principles, but the ideological gulfs makes this unattainable,” Booysen said.

– ericn@citizen.co.za

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