Social Development Minister and African National Congress (ANC) NEC member, Lindiwe Zulu has lambasted the media for reporting on a new survey, which has revealed that South Africa is more likely than ever to have a coalition government, ahead of this year’s national elections.
The poll conducted by the Brenthurst Foundation has found a marked interest in the Multi-Party Coalition, which combines the votes of the Democratic Alliance (DA), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), ActionSA, Freedom Front Plus (FF+) and the United Independent Movement (UIM).
Zulu says the governing ANC does not support the idea of coalitions.
She says, “The media is kind of directing us to something called coalitions. The media obviously has the power to pick up on issues and on topics. I just find it a bit like you’re focusing so much on the coalitions, you can see what coalitions are causing in our communities, they don’t agree on issues, they fight and all that.”
“I don’t understand why people can’t be allowed to make their choices, but I don’t think that the narrative should be pushed so much into the whole issue of coalition. They don’t work, hey they create confusion, we don’t agree and as ANC we experienced it forced by circumstance but it doesn’t work.”
Reacting to the finding that showed a decline in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s favourability, dropping to 42% from a 48% rating last year, Zulu says this is speculation.
She says, “I just feel like it’s not about the media, every time I listen to radio or read in the newspapers I feel like the media is deciding it must influence things. On top of it all we are talking about the president losing ratings at 41%, it’s like you’re trying to get rid of the ANC to have somebody else.”
Full interview with ANC NEC member, Lindiwe Zulu:
