It was a mistake of the DA to work with the EFF in the Johannesburg and Tshwane metro councils (in Pretoria) to form a coalition government, says the review panel that examined the DA’s poor performance in this year’s general election.
The panel says in its report that he understood the complexity of the decision after the 2016 local elections, but that was a mistake.
“There are two reasons. First, we as DA government cannot properly implement the DA’s agenda in these metros, because we have to take the EFF into account, ”the report states.
“Secondly, it is bad for the DA’s image to rely on the EFF’s support to govern in the light of that party’s political philosophy, policy and general conduct.”
The report further states that it is also true that if the DA wants to succeed, it must learn how to successfully run coalitions and other forms of cooperative government.
He says the issue is not only the ideological incompatibility between the DA and the EFF, it is also a matter of strategy and tactics.
“Where the DA is leading the way in coalitions and protecting its identity and brand, it should not hesitate to become part of cooperative governments. In Cape Town in 2006, for example, the DA formed a coalition with a variety of parties including the FF Plus, the ACDP and the African Muslim Party. However, there was never any doubt about who was in charge. “
The panel says the DA should research voter beliefs about the party’s brand and performance in the Johannesburg and Tshwane metros. This could help the party decide whether to relinquish the mayorship of these two metros and how to proceed in a way that will increase the party’s support before the next local election in 2021.
