When workers are divided by political loyalty to competing parties, they cannot effectively unite against employers during wage negotiations
South Africa’s experience is not unique. Across Africa and beyond, progressive forces have historically united, often overcoming ideological and organisational differences to achieve common national objectives
Dual membership was sustainable only while the ANC and SACP shared a single electoral vehicle. Once the SACP declared intent to contest elections independently, dual membership mutated from alliance glue into a conflict of interest
Some analyses suggest South Africa’s human rights framework is “normatively robust but substantively fragile”, marked by a growing gap between constitutional ideals and social realities
The implosion of parties such as the ANC and Zanu PF must serve as a cautionary tale for those that fought to liberate the continent
Urban voters navigating the daily realities of transport breakdowns, potholes, water outages, electricity instability, crime and failing municipalities are not impressed by spectacle