New political parties: Are they a necessary evolution?

Electoral system has left a political party landscape with gaps and imbalances

- NKOSIKHUKULE NYEMBEZI

THE resuscitated isolated scathing criticism of the proliferation of new political parties contains a revealing note of alarm: the diversity of political choices South Africans make is more than just a rebellion, and it is gaining supporters fast.

The recent wave of criticism follows last week's confirmation by the Electoral Commission's Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, that 34 new political parties have registered since last year’s national and provincial elections, bringing the total to a staggering 472.

This number will keep increasing as we near the next municipal elections likely to take place between November 2, 2026 and January 31, 2027. Yet, there are only 18 parties in Parliament, an increase from the familiar maximum of 13 parties since 1999.

Those who are sceptical of the changing landscape of political choices that citizens make regarding the enjoyment of the freedom of association, freedom of speech, the right to campaign for a political cause, and other political rights. They already widely see the increasing number of political parties as a mess. Their leadership profiles, their launch schedules and even their names: all have caused inconclusive, semi-public rows. To the sceptics, the opportunity provided by political novelty appears wasted.

Those who often see the new parties as incompetent and naive, the stop-start, seemingly uncoordinated baby-steps label the mushrooming of these parties as stretch marks on our body politic.

Why, in times that so obviously require a deepening of our and strengthening of our maturing democracy, can't the political parties that have been in existence for at least 15 years and built a record of contesting elections attract and retain voters in ways that do away with the necessity for many more parties? And where are the nimble strategists needed for the arduous task of establishing and maintaining a successful party?