An African National Congress statement on Monday addressed the party’s relationship of cooperation between itself and the New National Party.
In the wake of media reports that the ANC has “turned” on its coalition partner in the Western Cape provincial government, the ANC reaffirmed its position that it is “committed to working with the NNP — and any other willing party — to build a platform of national unity, reconciliation and development”.
The ANC-NNP relationship of cooperation remains intact, and will continue after the 2004 election, the statement said.
“This relationship recognises the right of each party to promote its own policies and programme, and to vigorously campaign for support among all South Africans.”
The ANC and NNP can each run its own election campaigns in any part of the country.
The ANC-NNP relationship of cooperation is “not confined to the coalition arrangement in the Western Cape government. Nor is it confined to only cooperation in governance.”
This means the level of cooperation is determined by the two parties based on what they think best serves the objectives of their relationship.