The Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) has announced that it is open to forming coalitions across all South African provinces following the upcoming local government elections, but prefer not to work with the African National Congress (ANC), the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), or the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP).
The party made the declaration during the official launch of its registration campaign in Centurion ahead of the November poll.
FF Plus leader Pieter Groenewald said coalitions are a permanent feature of the country’s political landscape, adding that he is eyeing possible nationwide agreements, particularly in municipalities such as Tshwane.
“We see that there are some parties that we do not agree with like MK, like the EFF, and even the ANC. We prefer not to go with them,” Groenewald stated. He noted that in eThekwini, a coalition would most likely form between the Democratic Alliance, the FF Plus, and other parties. “We are going to contest in all provinces and we’re going to try to contest in all municipalities throughout South Africa, all metros definitely as well,” he added.
Although the FF Plus is currently working alongside the ANC within the Government of National Unity (GNU), Groenewald made it clear that the ANC is not a desirable governing partner at the local level.
“I think the GNU is not a real normal coalition. It’s a kind of an agreement where everybody basically is doing what they want to do, which is unfortunate,” he said. “A true coalition would mean that parties come together, agree on a new platform, and then implement that platform. The GNU is not really doing that at the moment.”
He reiterated that the party’s preference would be to govern alone. “But if that’s not possible, then obviously you have to form coalition governance.”
Looking ahead, the FF Plus leader said the party has welcomed an influx of new members from across all racial groups and will soon be fielding mayoral candidates.
“The party is being inundated with new applications across the board from different sectors of society. Afrikaans, English, black South Africans, coloured, Indian, it doesn’t matter,” Groenewald said. “People are joining the party at the moment because in the Freedom Front Plus, they see a party that has the approach. They know where you stand with us. You know what we are saying and we think it’s time that we turn South Africa around, and it can be constructively and positively done so.”