As the country prepares to usher in a coalition government for the next five years, agricultural leaders and farmers said all political parties need to accept the wishes of the electorate. In a historic election, the African National Congress (ANC) only managed to garner about 40% of the national votes for the first time in 30 years.
A farmer and the chairperson of the Free State Business Council for Districts, Phaladi Matsole, said South Africans have spoken and there is a need for the interests of the people of the country to be taken into consideration.
The will of the people
“The people have spoken and the message is that a one-party state does not work for them, and we have seen it happening across the African continent where there have been winds of change.
“As the council, we welcome the results and look forward to working with any party or government of the day in forming a new state for the next term,” he said.
According to Matsole, the new government will need to deal with unemployment, crime, and management of borders which he thinks are critical aspects, especially in the agricultural sector.
“We need to also deal with undocumented people in our country, it is very important that such issue is also addressed by the new government. We are open-minded and ready to have talks with government of the day,” he said.
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Petrus Sitho, who heads the organisation PPS Stop Farm Murders, said he does not see any parties likely to form a coalition government vested in addressing rural safety.
Tables turn
With the ANC being booted out of power, it is uncertain which parties will form a coalition in Gauteng, the Northern Cape and Gauteng, following the ANC’s inability to reach 50% in those provinces.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said over 16 million of the over 27 million registered voters pitched to vote, translating into 58.61% of voter turnout.
Saamtrek Saamwerk Northern Cape coordinator, Sehularo Sehularo, said as a farming organisation they are hopeful that the new government will prioritise the economy of the Northern Cape through agriculture.
“We call upon government to invite businesses around the table to chart a clear and reasonable plan on how to revive the economy of the province. We have said we are ready to engage and talk job creation with government.
“Our stance is that we do not want to see a coalition that will seek to serve the interest of individuals, we do not want to see a coalition where motion of no confidence is the order of the day. We need stability as a province and we need one another,” he said.
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