The Progressive Caucus (PC) is a political alliance in the

Parliament of South Africa The Parliament of the Republic of South Africa is South Africa's legislature. It is located in Cape Town; the country's legislative capital city, capital. Under the present Constitution of South Africa, the bicameralism, bicameral Parliamen ...

, which formed in opposition to the Government of National Unity (GNU). At its height it comprised seven parties: the

Economic Freedom Fighters The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is a South African communist and black nationalist political party. It was founded by expelled former African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) president Julius Malema, and his allies, on 26 July 20 ...

(EFF), Al Jama-ah, United Democratic Movement (UDM),

United Africans Transformation The United Africans Transformation (UAT) is a minor political party in South Africa. It was founded in November 2022 by a group of individuals who broke away from the African National Congress (ANC). The UAT is centered around Africanism, pan-Afr ...

(UAT),

African Transformation Movement The African Transformation Movement (ATM) is a political party in South Africa. It was formed with the backing of the South African Council of Messianic Churches in Christ (SACMCC), which together are supported by millions of congregants. Hist ...

(ATM), the

Pan Africanist Congress of Azania The Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, often shortened to the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), is a South African pan-Africanist national liberation movement that is now a political party. It was founded by an Africanist group, led by Robert S ...

(PAC), and the

uMkhonto we Sizwe uMkhonto weSizwe (; abbreviated MK; ) was the paramilitary wing of the African National Congress (ANC), founded by Nelson Mandela in the wake of the Sharpeville massacre. Its mission was to fight against the South African government to brin ...

(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, 21 and 23 June, 2024 respectively. The Progressive Caucus collectively holds approximately 25% of the seats in the

National Assembly In politics, a national assembly is either a unicameral legislature, the lower house of a bicameral legislature, or both houses of a bicameral legislature together. In the English language it generally means "an assembly composed of the repr ...

. The MK party, led by former president

Jacob Zuma Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma (; born 12 April 1942) is a South African politician who served as the fourth president of South Africa from 2009 to 2018. He is also referred to by his initials JZ and clan names Nxamalala and Msholozi. Zuma was a for ...

, 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. 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. However, the inclusion of the MK does not gain the Progressive Caucus enough seats in the

to block any law or constitutional amendment due to the GNU's supermajority. 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% 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. 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 and the repeal of same-sex marriage laws.

Objectives

The Progressive Caucus seeks to advance radical economic transformation and the policy of land appropriation without compensation. They view the presence of the DA and the Freedom Front Plus (FF+) in the GNU as being opposed to these principles, describing it as an alliance rooted in colonialism and apartheid.

Recent developments

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

Challenges

The Progressive Caucus has faced exclusion from significant GNU discussions, 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

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".

References

{{reflist 2024 establishments in South Africa Political party alliances in South Africa Political parties established in 2024