‘God first’: The Patriotic Alliance’s vision for Joburg

The Patriotic Alliance is largely considered a ‘kingmaker’, because in previous elections the party has consistently won enough seats to tip the balance of power in coalition governments.

This is particularly true in key metros like Johannesburg, where its leadership openly markets the party as a decisive partner willing to work with any major party.

Read: Joburg on the brink of collapse

In this episode of The Ballot Sheet, Moneyweb speaks to Kenny Kunene, Deputy President of the Patriotic Alliance.

Kunene is the party’s mayoral candidate in Johannesburg for the local government elections on 4 November. He currently serves in the City of Johannesburg as MMC for Transport, and would be promoted to mayor if he secures enough votes.

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The Patriotic Alliance’s manifesto is unconventional on many fronts.

The party has a “God First” principle and wants religious values to be at the centre of how it plans to govern, and for religion to be part of education and public life.

It proposes bringing back morning prayers in public schools and reintroducing religious teachings on a large scale, including teaching values like The 10 Commandments.

Some of its manifesto promises are arguably out of kilter with The Constitution of the Republic.

If the Patriotic Alliance came into power, it would reintroduce conscription; bring back the death penalty for murder, muti killings and the rape of children; and initiate mass deportation of people living in South Africa without documents.

Kunene says his to-do list should he succeed in becoming mayor of Johannesburg would be to push for amendments to The Constitution to make the Patriotic Alliance’s manifesto promises possible.

Listen/read: DA majority in Joburg within reach, but hinges on voter turnout

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He believes the party could garner strong voter support in Johannesburg, even beyond the 2% that several polls place the party at.

“Giving us 2% [voter support] is an insult,” Kunene declares. “We believe we are going to get more voter support.”

The Patriotic Alliance won eight seats in Johannesburg in the 2021 local government elections, and later increased its representation to 11 seats through by-election victories.

It will contest all wards in the country’s 257 municipalities during the upcoming local government elections.

Listen/watch/read:

Mashaba: ‘I have unfinished business in Joburg’
Helen Zille’s first 100 days – if she becomes Joburg mayor

You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.

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