The Commission would like to remind political parties to draw lessons from the negative experiences of local government coalitions when negotiating national and provincial coalition agreements. The local government coalitions have been characterised by votes of no confidence, leading to changes in Speakers and Mayors, instead of focusing on improving the service delivery needs of the people thereby addressing fundamental human rights. Political parties made promises in their manifestos and during campaigns to address these challenges urgently, in order to ensure the realization of people's rights and the addressing of violations.

During electioneering, the Commission noted the energy and accessibility of politicians as they listened to the wishes of potential voters. Human rights challenges such as unemployment, lack of service delivery, high crime rate and gender-based violence dominated the concerns of voters and promises made by political parties in their manifestos and during campaigns. These challenges must be addressed with extreme urgency to ensure that the rights of the people are realised and violations redressed.

The Commission reiterates that any coalition or grand coalition must be built on human rights principles to fast-track the realisation of socio-economic rights in the country.

The Commission will continue its monitoring role in the post -election landscape to ensure that the human rights agenda remains central to the negotiations for the coalition/grad coalition/ government of national unity.

ENDS

For further information or inquiries, please contact Wisani Baloyi on 081 016 8308 or  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission