As South Africa navigates through a politically sensitive period, the African National Congress (ANC), the bedrock of post-apartheid governance, faces a crucial decision that could alter its future and that of the nation.
The possibility of forming a coalition with the Democratic Alliance (DA) has ignited a fierce debate within the ANC, with top leaders threatening to defect should such a partnership come to fruition.

According to Times of South Africa, former minister and ANC veteran, Lindiwe Sisulu believes an ANC-DA coalition is not the right fit for her party.
She stressed that the DA does not have a similar ideology with ANC.
This scenario, she alluded, poses a significant risk of weakening the ANC’s influence and instigating chaos throughout the country.
“We are ideologically at variance with the DA. I cannot imagine having to drag people who do not have similar issues and insights into our problems and be able to take the country forward,” Sisulu said in an interview with the SABC.
Suspicion about the DA’s commitment to long-term alliances is at the heart of the controversy. Historically, the DA has shown a tendency to withdraw from agreements, exemplified by their departure from the multi-party charter prior to the election.

This behaviour has led to predictions that the multi-party charter will likely disintegrate after the elections. The smaller parties, having felt betrayed by the DA’s past actions, project deep resentment and distrust towards the party.
This backdrop of broken promises casts doubt on the viability and stability of a coalition between the ANC and the DA, suggesting that such an alliance could be short-lived and fraught with discord.
Further complicating matters, if the ANC aligns with the DA, there is a palpable fear that DA leader John Steenhuisen, alongside his international supporters, would undermine President Cyril Ramaphosa’s authority.
This could lead to a weakening of Ramaphosa’s leadership and potentially precipitate the collapse of the ANC. The implications of such an outcome are dire, not only for the party but also for the nation, as it could lead to a significant political vacuum and instability.

Adding to the complexity, the ongoing reports over the past 24 hours indicate a growing factionalism within the ANC. This internal strife is perceived as a threat to national unity, with many arguing that a split within the ANC could be catastrophic for South Africa’s societal cohesion.
The unity forged over decades of shared struggle and governance is at risk of untying, which could lead to widespread unrest and disruption across the nation.
In conclusion, the potential departure of key ANC members over a coalition with the DA signals a turbulent future for South Africa.
Such a move could destabilise the longstanding political framework and undermine the progress achieved since the end of apartheid. It is imperative for the ANC to tread carefully, considering the broader implications of their coalition choices on the stability and unity of the country.