SEDIBENG. – The decision to form a coalition a year before the election is premature and runs the risk of disenchanting voters.

Through its Spokesperson, Mpho Khang, the New Horizon Movement (NHM) said that the recent convention held on Wednesday and Thursday this week at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Johannesburg is detrimental to the political space in the country, particularly for the voters.

The convention was held where leaders from seven political parties (DA, IFP, VF+,  ActionSA, SNP, UIM, and ISANCO) gathered, to establish the foundation for a multi-party coalition after the 2024 General Elections. Khang said that while his organization appreciates the challenges that have characterized ANC’s misgovernance of South Africa:

“We must approach the prospects of change with a clear understanding of the realities at hand, rather than succumb to the allure of ill-conceived, untimely, and hastily devised relationships as the sole solution to finally ousting the ANC from power.”

The NHM, challenged local elections during the last local government elections and succeeded by garnering a significant number of votes leading to it currently being a coalition member in the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM).

Its leader, Bishop Vincent Jones, is a former Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Works in ELM. He is currently the MMC for Finance in the Sedibeng District Municipality (SDM).

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Khang said that formalizing an agreement among the seven parties, which currently only represent 27% of the national vote, might alienate other political entities not part of the charter, adding that the exclusionary approach taken could backfire by generating opposition from potential allies.

One significant mistake of this coalition endeavor, Khang said, is the side-lining of the EFF and that the reality is that a government that does not have the ANC is virtually impossible if you’re not going to include the EFF.

“The DA’s adversarial stance towards the EFF has undermined the credibility of this initiative, casting doubts on its viability. It may be necessary for the DA to reconsider its approach and work towards a more inclusive strategy that recognizes the EFF’s role in the political landscape,” Khang said.

He ended by saying: “As the New Horizon Movement, we believe that while change is imperative, it must be rooted in thoughtful planning, inclusivity, and a realistic understanding of the dynamics at play. Our country’s political transformation requires more than impulsive moves; it demands a well-considered, strategic approach that truly reflects the interests and aspirations of the people.