Progressive Caucus (South Africa)

Political alliance in South Africa

Progressive Caucus

Abbreviation| PC
Leaders| Julius Malema (EFF)
Jacob Zuma (MK)
Vuyolwethu Zungula (ATM)
Wonder Mahlatsi (UAT)
Founded| 13 June 2024 (2024-06-13)
Ideology| Anti-GNU
Political position|

* Big tent
* Majority:
* Left-wing to far-left
* Minority:
* Centre-right

Member parties (current)| EFF
MK Party
ATM
UAT
Member parties (former)| UDM
Al Jama-ah
PAC
National Assembly|

100 / 400

National Council of Provinces|

11 / 90

Pan-African Parliament|

1 / 5

(South African seats)
Provincial Legislatures|

111 / 487

* Politics of South Africa
* Political parties
* Elections

The Progressive Caucus is a political alliance in South Africa, formed in opposition to the Government of National Unity (GNU). The term 'progressive' is used by the caucus to describe itself, though this designation does not necessarily reflect endorsement of traditionally progressive policies.

At its height it comprised seven parties: the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Al Jama-ah, United Democratic Movement (UDM), United Africans Transformation (UAT), African Transformation Movement (ATM), the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC), and the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party. However, within a matter of days the PAC, UDM, and Al Jama-ah parties would leave Progressive Caucus and join the GNU on 19,[1] 21[2] and 23 June,[3] 2024 respectively. The Progressive Caucus collectively holds approximately 30% of the seats in the National Assembly.

The MK party, led by former president Jacob Zuma, joined the Progressive Caucus on 17 June after securing 14.6% of the vote and 58 seats in the National Assembly in the 2024 elections. MK's surprising performance solidified its position as the third-largest party in parliament.[4]

Despite initially boycotting the first sitting of the National Assembly over allegations of vote-rigging—which the court dismissed as without merit—MK decided to align with the Progressive Caucus to strengthen the opposition against the GNU.[5][6] However, the inclusion of the MK does not gain the Progressive Caucus enough seats in the National Assembly to block any law or constitutional amendment due to the GNU's supermajority.[7]

The caucus was formed following the 29 May 2024 elections where the ANC lost its majority for the first time in 30 years. The ANC, which won 40%[8] of the vote, entered a coalition with the DA and other smaller parties to form a GNU. In contrast, the Progressive Caucus aims to provide a fiscally left-leaning alternative to this coalition.[7] The Progressive Caucus is not as unified on social policies with some members advocating right-wing positions such as the reintroduction of the death penalty[9][10] and the repeal of same-sex marriage laws.[11][12]

## Objectives

[edit]

The Progressive Caucus seeks to advance radical economic transformation and the policy of land appropriation without compensation, not necessarily generally understood as forming part of traditional progressive policies. They view the presence of the DA in the GNU as being opposed to these principles, describing it as an alliance rooted in colonialism and apartheid.[5][citation needed]

## Recent developments

[edit]

In June 2024, the Progressive Caucus offered the ANC an opportunity to form a government without the DA and the Freedom Front Plus (FF+), proposing a more progressive coalition. This offer fell through as the ANC proceeded to form a Government of National Unity together with various parties, including the DA and Freedom Front Plus.[13] The UAT rejoined the Progressive Caucus after leaving the government due to frustration over not receiving any ministries.

## Challenges

[edit]

The Progressive Caucus has faced exclusion from significant GNU discussions,[6] leading to calls for a more inclusive and meaningful engagement process with the ANC. The EFF, a leading member of the caucus, has been particularly vocal about this exclusion, emphasising the need for a collaborative approach that respects the contributions of all parties involved. The EFF has refused the possibility that it will join the GNU if the DA or FF+ are included.

## Criticism

[edit]

Some commentators have taken the view that the name Progressive Caucus is a misleading self-designation since the parties forming part of it do not necessarily endorse traditionally progressive policies. For example a legal commentator, writing under a pseudonym, implied that the parties considering themselves part of the caucus are not progressive in nature and wrote that it is "a coalition of populists, ethno-nationalists and other opportunistic rent-seekers".[14]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "PAC latest party to join GNU promises to scrutinise ANC/DA decisions". Archived from the original on 2024-06-21. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
2. ^ "UDM becomes the latest party to join ANC-led GNU". Archived from the original on 2024-06-21. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
3. ^ Africa, AlgoaFM South. "GNU now comprises ten political parties". AlogaFM. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
4. ^ Gerber, Sakhiseni Nxumalo and Jan. "COALITION NATION | MK Party to join EFF, ATM and others in Progressive Caucus". News24. Archived from the original on 2024-06-21. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
5. ^ a b "Ex-leader Zuma's party says it will join opposition in South Africa's parliament". WSAU News/Talk 550 AM · 99.9 FM | Wausau, Stevens Point. Thomson Reuters. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
6. ^ a b Patel, Faizel (2024-06-14). "Progressive Caucus led by EFF want urgent meeting with ANC over GNU". The Citizen. Archived from the original on 2024-06-18. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
7. ^ a b "Government of National Unity now has a supermajority in South Africa – BusinessTech". Archived from the original on 2024-06-20. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
8. ^ "NPE Results Dashboard 2024". results.elections.org.za.
9. ^ "MK Party wants referendum on death penalty". Archived from the original on 2024-05-10. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
10. ^ Gerber, Jan. "Patriotic Alliance, ATM want the death penalty. Research shows it isn't an effective crime deterrent". News24. Archived from the original on 2024-06-20. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
11. ^ "Jacob Zuma campaigns on ticket using race, land, same-sex laws as flashpoints". Archived from the original on 2024-04-25. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
12. ^ Lagardien, Ismail (November 19, 2020). "Al Jama-ah: The small Islamic political party with a narrow vision and big ambitions". Daily Maverick.
13. ^ Goba, Thabiso. "Progressive Caucus offers ANC chance to form govt without DA, FF+". EWN. Archived from the original on 2024-06-14. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
14. ^ Professor Balthazar (25 July 2024). "Using law to destroy law, and ultimately our constitutional system". Daily Maverick. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.