DA, IFP snuggle up closer

2003-09-15 23:54

Cape Town - The Democratic Alliance and the Inkatha Freedom Party have taken their "coalition for change" co-operation agreement a step further, following a meeting between party leaders in Cape Town on Monday.

The meeting was a sequel to a similar meeting in Durban in December last year.

In a joint statement afterwards, the parties said they had established a number of joint structures, including a permanent standing committee consisting of the two leaders and representatives of each party.

The committee would foster communication and co-operation between the two parties and resolve any differences, disputes or divergence.

"The meeting reviewed the encouraging progress in the establishment of the coalition for change and made decisions and commitments regarding both structural and substantive issues necessary to give momentum to the coalition," the statement said.

The two parties, through their leaders and respective delegations, also adopted a mission statement to further define the nature and purpose of the coalition.

Among other things, it stated both parties recognised there had been great achievements in the past 10 years and that South Africa had in fact progressed on many fronts.

"However, there are critical national areas where the pursuit of wrong policies, or a lack of political will and an absence of bold leadership, has held our beloved country back.

"Both parties are determined and resolved to address the crises in good governance, HIV/Aids, crime, unemployment and poverty.

Alternative

"Our young democracy needs a strong democratic alternative which will lead with the necessary political will and determination to tackle issues which have long been neglected."

The mission statement added that there were "real and worrying signs" that South Africa was drifting towards a one party state.

"Our democracy demands that in 2004 voters be offered the opportunity of voting for a real alternative that could become the government," it said.

The coalition for change aimed to include all who "are willing to take the steps which we deem are necessary to address South Africa's problems".

Co-operation included, but was not limited to, forming governments together to share the burden of governance whenever and wherever possible, and exchanging and sharing resources to develop effective policy proposals.

The two parties would also co-operate in any sphere or level of government even where one party would not need the contribution of the other to govern.

"The closest cooperation between the parties in the coalition will be based on the distinctive continued existence of each party, each of whose function and existence flows from a specific and honourable role in our nation's history," the statement said.

- SAPA