South African President Cyril Ramaphosa Says His Party Won’t Mind Being In Opposition

African National Congress (ANC) President Cyril Ramaphosa has set the record clear that his party will not be begging to form coalition agreements with any party .

Ramaphosa made the remarks at the ANC’s “Thanksgiving” rally held at the University of Joburg’s Soweto campus on Monday, 8 November 2021.

This comes after three political parties: ActionSA, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and Democratic Alliance (DA) have ruled out working with the governing party, in the wake of the local government elections. While the ANC has claimed majority in 161 of the country’s 213 municipalities, there are 66 others which are now hung, leaving the party with no choice, but to form coalition, in a case where the ANC still want to continue governing.

Political parties have been holding coalition talks in the past few days, including the ANC, which has reportedly already met with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

President Ramaphosa told ANC supporters and members that they won’t enter into coalitions “at all costs” and that if necessary, they are more than happy to sit on the opposition benches.

“A number of parties are going around boastfully saying: ’We are not going to work with the ANC’, but who said we want to work with them? We are not on our knees. If comrades must be in opposition, then we will be in opposition,” said Ramaphosa.

Adding that as the ANC, they haven’t always had the best experiences with coalition governments and are now looking to form stable partnerships.

Ramaphosa also thanked all the members, volunteers and delegates of the ANC, saying that they had done their best to garner support for the party.