By Alec Hogg
This week’s by-election results need to be taken seriously. Particularly by leaders of the political parties which have the ability to transform South Africa’s economic trajectory by replacing the ANC’s sad socialist nightmare into a vibrant, free market future.
Because the 2024 stakes are so high; because the election presents SA with a binary future – bust or boom – those who fund these parties need to step up. Now. Because the ‘path to victory’ which the DA’s John Steenhuisen referenced in our interview this week, is clear. All that stands in the way are egos, preconceptions and disrespect.
___STEADY_PAYWALL___The message from Wednesday’s 10 by-elections is clear: the major free market supporting parties (DA, IFP, PA, Action SA) are expanding at a rapid clip, especially in urban areas. The DA retained all four its contested wards with increased majorities – in two of them rising to as close to 100% as practically possible (96.5% and 94.1%). The PA thrashed the ANC in Joburg’s Ward 7 and Action SA doubled its vote there.
In rural areas the IFP advance hit a bump, with the party losing a ward to the ANC for the first time since the November 2021 Election. But the score for post-November by-election swings is now at least 7-1 in the IFP’s favour, a very handy score and powerful rural base for the anti-ANC forces.
The path to the Union Buildings for opposition parties has never been as clear. It is up to those with influence – the BizNews tribe is packed with them – to ensure those leading the charge don’t contrive to grasp defeat from the jaws of victory.
Sterkte.
Alec
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