Progressive Caucus (South Africa)
Progressive Caucus | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | PC |
| Leaders | Julius Malema (EFF) Jacob Zuma (MK) Vuyolwethu Zungula (ATM) Wonder Mahlatsi (UAT) |
| Founded | 13 June 2024 |
| Political position | Left-wing to far-left |
| Member parties (current) | EFF MK Party ATM UAT |
| Member parties (former) | UDM Al Jama-ah PAC |
| National Assembly | 100 / 400 |
| National Council of Provinces | 11 / 90 |
| Pan-African Parliament | 1 / 5 (South African seats) |
| Provincial Legislatures | 111 / 487 |
The Progressive Caucus is a political alliance in the Parliament of South Africa, which formed in opposition to the Government of National Unity (GNU).
At its height it comprised seven parties: the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Al Jama-ah, United Democratic Movement (UDM), United Africans Transformation (UAT), African Transformation Movement (ATM), the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC), and the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party. However, within a matter of days the PAC, UDM, and Al Jama-ah parties would leave Progressive Caucus and join the GNU on 19,[1] 21[2] and 23 June,[3] 2024 respectively. The Progressive Caucus collectively holds approximately 25% of the seats in the National Assembly.
The MK party, led by former president Jacob Zuma, joined the Progressive Caucus on 17 June after securing 14.6% of the vote and 58 seats in the National Assembly in the 2024 elections. MK's surprising performance solidified its position as the third-largest party in parliament.[4]
Despite initially boycotting the first sitting of the National Assembly over allegations of vote-rigging—which the court dismissed as without merit—MK decided to align with the Progressive Caucus to strengthen the opposition against the GNU.[5][6] However, the inclusion of the MK does not gain the Progressive Caucus enough seats in the National Assembly to block any law or constitutional amendment due to the GNU's supermajority.[7]
The caucus was formed following the 29 May 2024 elections where the ANC lost its majority for the first time in 30 years. The ANC, which won 40%[8] of the vote, entered a coalition with the DA and other smaller parties to form a GNU. In contrast, the Progressive Caucus aims to provide a fiscally left-leaning alternative to this coalition.[7] The Progressive Caucus is not as unified on social policies with some members advocating right-wing positions such as the reintroduction of the death penalty[9][10] and the repeal of same-sex marriage laws.[11][12]
Objectives
[edit]The Progressive Caucus seeks to advance radical economic transformation and the policy of land appropriation without compensation. They view the presence of the DA and the Freedom Front Plus (FF+) in the GNU as being opposed to these principles, describing it as an alliance rooted in colonialism and apartheid.[5][citation needed]
Recent developments
[edit]In June 2024, the Progressive Caucus offered the ANC an opportunity to form a government without the DA and the Freedom Front Plus (FF+). This offer fell through as the ANC proceeded to form a Government of National Unity together with various parties, including the DA and FF+.[13] The UAT rejoined the Progressive Caucus after leaving the government due to frustration over not receiving any ministries.
Challenges
[edit]The Progressive Caucus has faced exclusion from significant GNU discussions,[6] leading to calls for a more inclusive and meaningful engagement process with the ANC. The EFF, a leading member of the caucus, has been particularly vocal about this exclusion, emphasising the need for a collaborative approach that respects the contributions of all parties involved. The EFF has refused the possibility that it will join the GNU if the DA or FF+ are included.[14]
Criticism
[edit]Some commentators have taken the view that the name Progressive Caucus is a misleading self-designation since the parties forming part of it do not necessarily endorse traditionally progressive policies. For example a legal commentator, writing under a pseudonym, implied that the parties considering themselves part of the caucus are not progressive in nature and wrote that it is "a coalition of populists, ethno-nationalists and other opportunistic rent-seekers".[15]
References
[edit]- ^ "PAC latest party to join GNU promises to scrutinise ANC/DA decisions". Archived from the original on 2024-06-21. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
- ^ "UDM becomes the latest party to join ANC-led GNU". Archived from the original on 2024-06-21. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
- ^ Africa, AlgoaFM South. "GNU now comprises ten political parties". AlogaFM. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
- ^ Gerber, Sakhiseni Nxumalo and Jan. "COALITION NATION | MK Party to join EFF, ATM and others in Progressive Caucus". News24. Archived from the original on 2024-06-21. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
- ^ a b "Ex-leader Zuma's party says it will join opposition in South Africa's parliament". WSAU News/Talk 550 AM · 99.9 FM | Wausau, Stevens Point. Thomson Reuters. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
- ^ a b Patel, Faizel (2024-06-14). "Progressive Caucus led by EFF want urgent meeting with ANC over GNU". The Citizen. Archived from the original on 2024-06-18. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
- ^ a b "Government of National Unity now has a supermajority in South Africa – BusinessTech". Archived from the original on 2024-06-20. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ "NPE Results Dashboard 2024". results.elections.org.za.
- ^ "MK Party wants referendum on death penalty". Archived from the original on 2024-05-10. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ Gerber, Jan. "Patriotic Alliance, ATM want the death penalty. Research shows it isn't an effective crime deterrent". News24. Archived from the original on 2024-06-20. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ "Jacob Zuma campaigns on ticket using race, land, same-sex laws as flashpoints". Archived from the original on 2024-04-25. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ Lagardien, Ismail (November 19, 2020). "Al Jama-ah: The small Islamic political party with a narrow vision and big ambitions". Daily Maverick.
- ^ Goba, Thabiso. "Progressive Caucus offers ANC chance to form govt without DA, FF+". EWN. Archived from the original on 2024-06-14. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
- ^ Seeletsa, Molefe (29 June 2024). "'As long as DA, FF Plus aren't included': EFF urges ANC to abandon GNU, join forces". The Citizen.
- ^ Professor Balthazar (25 July 2024). "Using law to destroy law, and ultimately our constitutional system". Daily Maverick. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.