Progressive Caucus (South Africa)

The Progressive Caucus is a political alliance in the Parliament of South Africa, which formed in opposition to the Government of National Unity (GNU).

At its height it comprised seven parties: the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Al Jama-ah, United Democratic Movement (UDM), United Africans Transformation (UAT), African Transformation Movement (ATM), the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC), and the uMkhonto we Sizwe (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,^[1] 21^[2] and 23 June,^[3] 2024 respectively. The Progressive Caucus collectively holds approximately 25% of the seats in the National Assembly.

The MK party, led by former president Jacob Zuma, 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.^[4]

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.^[5][6] However, the inclusion of the MK does not gain the Progressive Caucus enough seats in the National Assembly to block any law or constitutional amendment due to the GNU's supermajority.^[7]

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%^[8] 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.^[7] 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^[9][10] and the repeal of same-sex marriage laws.^[11][12]

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.^{[5][citation needed]}

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+.^[13] The UAT rejoined the Progressive Caucus after leaving the government due to frustration over not receiving any ministries.

The Progressive Caucus has faced exclusion from significant GNU discussions,^[6] 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.^[14]

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".^[15]