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IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
The real power in the GNU might belong to the smallest parties
The significant yet often overlooked influence of smaller political parties in South Africa's Government of National Unity are under the spotlight, as they navigate challenges and shape policy agendas. Image: IOL Graphics As South Africa marks the first anniversary of the Government of National Unity (GNU), questions linger about the influence of the country's smaller political parties. Though often described as minor players, these parties - particularly the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), GOOD, and the United Democratic Movement (UDM) - prove that size isn't everything in parliamentary politics. Their role in shaping policy and steering the nation's direction raises essential discussions about the power dynamics within South Africa's proportional representation system. In a political landscape dominated by the ANC, DA, and EFF, MK parties, smaller parties like the IFP and GOOD have punched above their weight by leveraging their positions within the GNU to push specific agendas. IFP leader Velenkosi Hlabisa asserts that his party continues to serve as a 'unifying force' within the government, highlighting their impact across portfolios such as Cooperative Governance, Transport, and Environmental Affairs. Hlabisa highlighted key achievements, including the launch of the White Paper on Local Government Reforms, which aimed to improve service delivery, reintroduce stable train services, and combat corruption within public service. 'Our contributions are impactful and transformative,' he said, underscoring their commitment to social cohesion, rural development, and environmental sustainability. Similarly, Patricia de Lille, leader of the GOOD party, reflected on their strategic role in the GNU. Since its inception last year, GOOD has actively influenced the government's priorities by advocating for spatial transformation, social security, and justice. 'We ensured that issues like spatial inequalities and social grants were integrated into the GNU's core agenda,' de Lille explained. Despite being the smallest party, she stated that GOOD's substantive arguments helped shape the GNU's 'Statement of Intent' and the 'Minimum Programme of Priorities,' demonstrating that influence is measured less by size and more by engagement quality. Brett Herron, Secretary-General of the GOOD Party, emphasised that the proportional representation system allows smaller parties to wield significant influence. 'The strength lies not in the size but in the persuasive substance of our arguments,' he said. He pointed to the GNU's negotiations, where GOOD's insistence on spatial and social issues led to tangible policy commitments. Hlabisa echoed this sentiment, noting that their role extends beyond mere participation. 'We are widely regarded as a voice of reason, fostering cooperation across diverse identities,' he said. At the provincial level in KwaZulu-Natal, where the IFP leads the Government of Provincial Unity, the party claims to be actively transforming the province-addressing crime, promoting economic growth, and improving service delivery. While these small parties celebrate their influence, critics argue that the GNU faces systemic challenges. Political analyst Joe Mhlanga warns that the government's effectiveness remains questionable. 'Unemployment and inequality are still unresolved,' he said, pointing to internal disagreements and policy inconsistencies that threaten stability. Mhlanga also noted recent controversies surrounding South Africa's foreign policy, such as some GNU members' visits to Israel, which conflict with the country's traditional neutrality stance. 'This reflects a broader issue: is the GNU working for all of us, or only for certain factions?' he questioned. Moreover, the UDM's leader, General Bantu Holomisa, did not respond to multiple inquiries, leaving questions about the party's ongoing role in the coalition. Reflecting on the past year, some analysts suggest that small parties can punch above their weight - if they seize the opportunity. Despite being the smallest in parliament, Herron pointed out that GOOD was crucial in resolving the BELA Act dispute and influencing the GNU's priorities. However, independent political analyst Joe Mhlanga remains cautious. 'The GNU is struggling with internal conflicts and policy inconsistencies,' he said. 'Small parties need to work harder to maintain relevance and influence, especially as larger parties try to dominate the narrative.' According to Edward Polsue from the Institute of Race Relations, on Tuesday, The Roundtable published an article stating that ANC voters are leaving the party, while the DA is establishing itself as a strong opposition to ANC policies.
The Citizen
13-06-2025
- The Citizen
Eastern Cape floods: Death toll rises as residents recount tragedy
Eleven more bodies were found on Thursday evening. The death toll from the Eastern Cape floods in Mthatha has risen to 78 as recovery crews wrapped up a grim day that has left the country in shock. Eleven more bodies were found on Thursday evening. Tragedy Provincial government officials said the scope of the tragedy is still unfolding with several communities affecting by the devastating flood and growing number of people still unaccounted for. The bodies recovered on Thursday included those of several children who were pulled from rivers and rubble from different communities. Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa classified the floods as a national state of disaster due to the recent bad weather. [WATCH] Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has confirmed that the death toll from the Eastern Cape's adverse weather conditions has risen to 78. June 12, 2025 ALSO READ: State of disaster classified in four provinces as floods claim 67 lives in Eastern Cape 'Crisis' Hlabisa addressed the media in the Eastern Cape, the hardest-hit province among KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), Western Cape and Free State. 'We are in a crisis, a real disaster besides the floods, the more water subsides, the more people will be found. What is comforting, we have sufficient people who are doing the search and rescue in terms of police, other organs that are specialised in this week. It's devastating, but the work has to be done'. The search continues for four missing learners swept away when their 22-seater scholar transport vehicle was washed away on a bridge. Apology Hlabisa apologised to the pupils' parents and acknowledged that the tragedy should never have happened. According to the survivors of the incident, the minibus taxi driver underestimated the depth of the floodwater level on the bridge when he made the decision to cross. Hlabisa expressed his condolences to the affected schools, including the learners and parents and the surrounding communities. 'As government, we have descended to the Eastern Cape in Mthatha to give our support and ensure that when the people are in a difficult situation, government is not absent. That's why at the national level, two Ministers are on the ground'. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa urges caution as floods claims lives in Eastern Cape Ramaphosa to visit Eastern Cape The minister also provided an update on the measures deployed by the government so far to assist flood-stricken residents in the Eastern Cape. 'The search-and-rescue services are fully deployed. Every effort was invested here from government departments and humanitarian points of view'. Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that he will visit Mthatha on Friday during the Green Hydrogen Summit. 'I will be going to Mthatha in the Eastern Cape tomorrow to be with our people who are suffering, to console them and to give support. We pay our condolences to the families that have lost loved ones in the flood disaster,' Ramaphosa said. ALSO READ: Disaster and death in the Eastern Cape: A timeline
The Star
12-06-2025
- Climate
- The Star
Death toll climbs to 78 in Eastern Cape floods in South Africa
CAPE TOWN, June 12 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the devastating floods in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa has risen to 78, with only 21 bodies identified so far, a senior government official confirmed on Thursday. "I can confirm that the death toll from the floods has risen to 78, as more bodies continue to be recovered. This means we are facing a serious crisis," South Africa's Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa told the SABC News channel on Thursday evening. The floods occurred after severe weather conditions hit multiple districts across the province on Monday, leaving hundreds of people displaced. "As the water continues to subside, it's likely that more bodies will be found. What is comforting is that we have sufficient personnel conducting search and rescue operations," Hlabisa said. According to the Eastern Cape provincial government, rescue teams are continuing to search affected areas for missing persons, with two helicopters, search and rescue vehicles, police dogs, and technical rescue teams deployed in the affected districts. The minister also urged communities to assist by reporting missing persons to authorities. "We have made a clarion call to all district centers that, if someone you know has not been seen in the past two days, please report them as missing," Hlabisa said. He added that the majority of those who lost their lives were residents of flood-prone areas along riverbanks and flood plains. At an earlier media briefing on Thursday afternoon, Hlabisa announced that a classification of national disaster has been made by the head of the National Disaster Management Center, although a formal declaration of disaster is not necessary for now. "The classification is sufficient as it allows all departments and spheres of government to activate necessary steps in terms of intervention to respond to the storm that occurred over the past few days," he explained. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to visit the flood-affected areas in the province on Friday following the rising casualties and damage to infrastructure caused by the severe weather. In a statement issued by the presidency, Ramaphosa expressed his sadness at the loss of lives and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families, as well as affected communities and Eastern Cape residents at large.
IOL News
11-06-2025
- Climate
- IOL News
ICDM praises quick response teams during Eastern Cape's severe weather crisis
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa. Image: Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs / Facebook The Intergovernmental Committee on Disaster Management (ICDM) has expressed appreciation and thanked disaster management teams for their quick response, and urged them to continue searching for missing victims. The ICDM made these comments during a Tuesday night meeting convened by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa to assess progress in disaster relief measures. Political leaders from across the three spheres of government, including the South African Local Government Association (Salga) and the National House of Traditional and Khoi San leaders, form part of the ICDM. Hlabisa said that while all provinces have experienced severe incidents of extremely cold weather, with high winds and coastal provinces experiencing rough seas and rainfall, the province of the Eastern Cape has been hardest hit by the current severe weather incident. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ A scholar minibus transporting children was swept away by water on Tuesday in the Eastern Cape, leading to a loss of life. 'We are deeply saddened by the tragic minibus accident, and our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, and we extend our sincere condolences to them,' Hlabisa said. ICDM members expressed their deepest condolences to the families and communities, especially in the OR Tambo District Municipality, where the incident occurred. Hlabisa said nine deaths have been recorded to date. 'May the souls of our dearly departed loved ones rest in peace, and may their families find strength and solace during this difficult time. We join you as you mourn this tragic loss,' Hlabisa said. The ICDM was briefed on the ongoing search and rescue efforts for the missing scholars from the minibus accident. These operations, spearheaded by the South African Police Service, are in and around Mthatha. It also called on the public to bring to life the spirit of Ubuntu by supporting the families and communities affected by inclement weather conditions. Hlabisa said current weather conditions are a reminder that climate change is upon us, and more must be done to mitigate the changes to save lives and livelihoods. Following recent incidents, all provincial and sector departments briefed the meeting on the current disaster relief efforts. The meeting acknowledged the significant progress made in securing alternative housing for families displaced from their homes. Hlabisa said technical experts are being mobilised to ensure urgent attention is given to damaged water infrastructure. Water tankers are directed to provide clean drinking water where needed. Other teams are providing psycho-social services where needed. While social partners and various non-governmental organisations like the Gift of the Givers, Al-Imdaad Foundation, etc, are also assisting. Hlabisa said the ICDM has commended them for their efforts to provide hot meals, blankets, and other support measures. The minister said the meeting also complimented members of various clean-up teams and municipalities in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, who have successfully ensured all major roads are open and traffic can flow. 'While this is good news, members of the public are once again explicitly reminded to drive with extreme caution as roads are wet and above all, are advised not to attempt to pass through streams or strong flowing rivers,' Hlabisa said. He said the South African Weather Service provided welcome relief from the current conditions, advising that inclement weather will subside as the cut-off low causing the incident heads out to sea. The weather will improve from Wednesday.
Eyewitness News
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
IFP leader Hlabisa describes slain MP Khethamabala Sithole as a 'gentle giant'
JOHANNESBURG - IFP Leader Velenkosini Hlabisa has remembered the party's slain deputy chief whip Khethamabala Sithole as a gentle giant in his final farewell to the 68-year-old. Hlabisa delivered the eulogy at Sithole's funeral in Nkandla in northern KwaZulu-Natal, where thousands of mourners gathered on Sunday. ALSO READ: 2 suspects arrested in connection with IFP MP Khethamabala Sithole's murder Sithole was gunned down at the Bayafuthi hostel in Joburg's East Rand over a week ago. Two men, aged 30 and 32, have been arrested in connection with the murder. Hlabisa says Sithole was the epitome of an IFP member - always level-headed and seeking reconciliation in all circumstances. He says Sithole's dedication to inspiring the youth through sports will be missed, adding his participation in the Comrades Marathon on more than one occasion was a true show of character as someone who was always committed and dedicated. Sithole's death comes less than a year after the death of another prominent IFP leader, Princess Sibuyiselwe Buthelezi, the youngest daughter of IFP founder Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. Hlabisa says the party is poorer after both losses. Other political parties also hailed Sithole for his dedication to public service and ethical leadership. While arrests have been made in the matter, the motive remains unclear.
