• INTRODUCTION

The Southern Africa Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) has been at the forefront of promoting democratic elections and good governance in the SADC region from 1999 when it began observing elections in SADC Member States. Since adopting the Norms and Standards for Elections in the SADC Region in 2001,^[1] the Forum has played a crucial role in shaping electoral normative frameworks and promoting democratic electoral practices and good governance across the region.

This involvement includes participation in the review of the 2004 SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, resulting in the updated version adopted by the SADC Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO) in 2015. In addition, the Forum spearheaded the development of the landmark SADC Model Law on Elections in 2018, aiming to facilitate the implementation of the revised Principles and Guidelines at the national level.

These initiatives have spurred electoral reforms that have significantly enhanced electoral systems and electoral management practices across the region and now embarking on the journey of domestication and operationalisation.

• HUNG ELECTRORAL OUTCOMES AND THE ESTABLISHMENT AND FUNCTIONING OF COALITION GOVERNMENTS AND GOVERNMENTS OF NATIONAL UNITY IN THE SADC REGION

The SADC region has recently witnessed scenarios of hung electoral outcomes that precipitated coalition governments or Government of National Unity (GNU). In the context of the SADC Peace and Security Architecture, the emergence of hung outcomes and coalition governments has presented both challenges and opportunities for regional stability and democratic governance, and respect for constitutional and parliamentary supremacy.

In this regard, SADC's mediation efforts in Madagascar (after the 2009 and 2013 elections), Zimbabwe (after the 2008 and 2013 elections), and Lesotho (after the 2014 elections) offer valuable insights into the intricacies of establishing and managing inclusive governance, whether they involve coalitions or GNUs.

In Madagascar, SADC's intervention during the 2009 political crisis resulted in the Maputo Agreement, a landmark accord that provided a roadmap for constitutional order and democratic elections. The experience highlighted the importance of inclusive dialogue and reconciliation in resolving internal disputes and transitioning from political deadlock to functional governance.

In Zimbabwe, SADC's mediation efforts, notably through the Global Political Agreement (GPA) of 2008, addressed a hung parliament and facilitated power-sharing arrangements among competing political formations. The GPA emphasised the significance of constitutional reforms and electoral processes in stabilising the political environment and promoting democratic governance.

In Lesotho on the other hand, following the 2014 attempted coup, SADC's intervention led to the Maseru Facilitation Declaration, focusing on security sector reforms and political stability. Some of the lessons from Lesotho highlight the role of regional organisations in facilitating dialogue and governance reforms to prevent political crises and maintain democratic institutions.

In view of the pending and already implemented GNU in South Africa post-2024 elections, there are opportunities to draw lessons from the experiences elsewhere in the SADC region regarding dialogue among political parties and accountability by the coalition parties to ensure peace, stability and democratic governance during the formation and implementation of the coalition/GNU governance systems.

• LAUNCH OF REGIONAL WEBINAR SERIES ON DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE IN THE SADC REGION

The year 2024 has been dubbed the super election year, with nearly half the world's population heading to the polls, as Sixty-Four (64) countries globally have scheduled elections.

For Africa, seventeen (17) countries are undergoing elections of which over 180 million people will be eligible to vote.^[2] In the SADC region, seven countries have elections, with the Union of Comoros having already had its elections in January and recently South Africa and Madagascar had their general elections and legislative elections respectively, on 29 May2024.

Botswana, Mozambique, Mauritius, and Namibia are next in line. The Super Election Year provides opportunities for constitutional and parliamentary democratic renewal, electoral innovation, enhanced representation, effective dialogue and meaningful mediation.

In view of the above, SADC PF is launching a Regional Webinar Series on Democratic Governance in the SADC region for Parliamentarians and stakeholders to examine, discuss and exchange experiences to gain deeper understanding on the various factors from parliamentary perspective.

Principally the Webinar Series will promote best practices, enhance understanding of the SADC Model Law on Elections, and encourage compliance with democratic norms and standards through the implementation of electoral reforms.

One of the key targets is to draw lessons from regional experiences regarding dialogue among political parties and accountability by the coalition parties to ensure peace, stability and democratic governance during the formation and functioning of coalitions or GNUs.

The webinar series are meant to generate evidence-based recommendations that could inform SADC PF’s policy and programmatic initiatives aimed at consolidating democracy, good governance and rule of law in the SADC region.

The overarching goal is to strengthen electoral integrity, foster political stability and support overall democratic participation and development within the SADC region.

• CONTEXT FOR 2024 SOUTH AFRICA GENERAL ELECTIONS

The 7^th general elections since the end of the apartheid era in 1994 were held on 29 May 2024 in South Africa, to elect a new National Assembly as well as the provincial legislature in each of the country’s nine provinces. The elections occurred against a backdrop of significant political and socio-economic challenges. The country faced high unemployment rates, persistent inequality, and widespread corruption, which had eroded public trust in government institutions. Load shedding and energy crises also dominated public discourse, exacerbating frustrations. The elections were seen as a critical juncture for South Africa's democracy, with citizens demanding accountability and substantial reforms.^[3]

South Africa's socio-economic issues were critical in shaping voter sentiment. The country has grappled with high unemployment rates, especially among the youth, pervasive corruption, inadequate service delivery and frequent power outages attributed to failures at the state-run electricity supplier, Eskom. Despite the ANC's efforts to address these issues through new policies and legislative interventions aimed at improving healthcare and combating corruption, voter disillusionment has remained high.^[4]

The election saw participation from both established and new political parties, including the ruling African National Congress (ANC), the Democratic Alliance (DA) — the main opposition party, which campaigned on promises of economic growth and anti-corruption measures — and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a left-wing party advocating for radical economic reforms, including land expropriation without compensation.

Other significant players included the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), particularly influential in the KwaZulu-Natal province; ActionSA, a relatively new party led by former Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba; the Patriotic Alliance (PA), a right-wing populist party led by Gayton McKenzie; and the United Democratic Movement (UDM). Several new parties also emerged, including the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK) of former President Jacob Zuma.

The 2024 elections also saw news changes introduced through the Electoral Amendment Act, signed in April 2023, such as the inclusion of independent candidates contesting in the National Assembly and provincial legislatures and a revised formula for the allocation of seats and their re-allocation in the event of vacated seats.

• THE HUNG ELECTORAL OUTCOME

For the first time since the end of apartheid, the ANC failed to secure an outright majority, resulting in a hung parliament. This outcome necessitates coalition-building to form a government. The ANC garnered only 40.18% of the vote, the DA got 21.81%, the MK 14.58% and the EFF 9.52%. The ramifications are profound, as the country will need to learn to navigate the complexities of coalition governance—a process that, even under the best conditions, involves partners stepping on each other’s toes.^[5]

The ANC will need to negotiate with other parties to form a coalition, likely leading to compromises on policy and governance issues. This could potentially stabilise or destabilise the political environment depending on the coalition's coherence and ability to address key issues.^[6] The transition to a coalition government marks a democratic shift in South African politics, reflecting a move away from single-party dominance towards a more pluralistic and potentially more democratic governance structure.^[7] The situation may give opportunities for smaller parties which have gained leverage in negotiations, influencing the political agenda more than they would in a majoritarian system.

• WEBINAR KEY ISSUES AND LESSONS FROM THE 2024 SOUTH AFRICA GENERAL ELECTIONS AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE SADC MODEL LAW ON ELECTIONS

The recent elections in South Africa have concluded, providing valuable insights into various aspects of electoral processes and democratic governance. These elections garnered significant attention from both national and international observers, who praised the conduct of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the overall magnanimity displayed by all parties, despite none achieving the required majority.

Several critical issues have emerged from these elections, including the dynamics of coalition governance and the framework governing such coalitions, patterns of voter turnout, the use of technology in elections, the predictability and impact of party manifestos, and the credibility of the vote-counting process. Additionally, the elections served as an invaluable case study for understanding the practical application of the SADC Model Law on Elections. Examining these issues provides an opportunity to identify best practices, challenges and areas for improvement.

Accordingly, SADC PF through its Technical Working Group (TWG) on Democratisation, Governance and Human Rights (DGHR), is hosting the Regional Webinar on the recent South Africa elections under the theme “Key Issues and Lessons from the 2024 South Africa General Elections and Compliance with the SADC Model Law on Elections.” The regional webinar is being convened collaboratively with partners, including the Institute for Pan-African Thought & Conversation (IPATC), Institute for Global Dialogue (IGD), University of Johannesburg; Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs, (TM African School) University of South Africa (UNISA) and International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).

• WEBINAR OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the regional webinar are to:

• Facilitate in-depth engagement among electoral stakeholders in the SADC region on the 2024 South Africa elections as a case study to understand the practical application of the SADC Model Law on Elections, drawing lessons to promote best practices and encourage compliance with the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections across the region.
• Share lessons and best practices that can be applied in future electoral processes and democratic governance in South Africa and across SADC Member States, with the aim of strengthening electoral integrity, fostering political stability, and supporting overall democratic development within the SADC region.
• Enhance participants' understanding of the SADC Model Law on Elections and its practical application, with a view to encouraging compliance with democratic norms and standards by highlighting the importance of implementing electoral reforms, including prioritising the domestication of the Model Law.
• Provide a platform for discussing the dynamics of coalition governance, including the frameworks governing coalition governments and drawing lessons from regional and international experiences to make policy recommendations for the SADC region.

• WEBINAR EXPECTED OUTCOMES

The expected outcomes of the regional webinar are:

• Enhanced engagement among electoral stakeholders in the SADC region, using the 2024 South Africa elections as a case study to understand and apply the SADC Model Law on Elections, promoting best practices and compliance with SADC Principles and Guidelines.
• Shared lessons and best practices from the 2024 South Africa elections, applicable to future electoral processes and democratic governance in South Africa and across SADC Member States, for strengthening electoral integrity, fostering political stability and supporting democratic development.
• Enhanced participants' understanding of the SADC Model Law on Elections and its practical application, encouraging compliance with democratic norms and standards and highlighting the importance of implementing and domesticating electoral reforms.
• Productive discussions on the dynamics of coalition governance, including the regional and national frameworks governing coalition governments, drawing lessons from regional and international experiences, and formulating policy and legislative recommendations for the SADC region.

• TARGET AUDIENCE

The target audience for the Regional Webinar includes a diverse range of electoral stakeholders, such as members of the Democracy, Governance and Human Rights (DGHR) Standing Committee and other SADC PF Standing Committees, Members of the SADC PF TWG of the DGHR Programme, Election Management Bodies (EMBs), political parties and candidates, parliamentarians, government officials, civil society organisations, media organisations, the judiciary, security agencies, international observers and organisations, academic and research institutions, voters and citizens, electoral support and assistance agencies, international cooperating partners, and human rights institutions.

• METHOD OF DELIVERY

The regional webinar will be conducted via the virtual conferencing platform Zoom, with interpretation available in the official languages of the Forum, English, French and Portuguese to ensure accessibility and participation across the SADC region. Participants will "register online to receive access links, with technical support available throughout the event. The structure includes a formal opening session, expert panel discussions, interactive Q&A sessions and live polls and surveys. The closing session will summarise key takeaways and recommendations. Pre-webinar materials and a recording of the webinar will be made available to participants.

• DATE AND FORMAT OF MEETING

The date for the Regional Webinar is Wednesday 26 June 2023 from 10:00 to 13:00 CAT on Zoom.

^[1]   The Norms and Standards became the first election instrument not only in SADC but also on the African continent.

^[2]   2024 elections in Africa: 180 million people are eligible to vote | Mo Ibrahim Foundation

^[3]   South Africa’s 2024 elections: Political Change and Democratic Uncertainty | Democracy in Africa

^[4]   30 Years of Democracy: South Africa's 2024 elections marked by uncertainty and a desire for change | Ipsos.

^[5]   South Africa’s election results present 3 options for government: all are fraught with danger (polity.org.za)

^[6]   South Africa’s 2024 elections: Political Change and Democratic Uncertainty | Democracy in Africa.

^[7]   30 Years of Democracy: South Africa's 2024 elections marked by uncertainty and a desire for change | Ipsos.

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PROGRAMME