Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy

Forum of Political Parties

Working with the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) in Johannesburg, NIMD supports an interparty dialogue platform, bringing together representatives from eight parliamentary parties. The platform, which is known as the South African Forum of Political Parties (SAFPP), is chaired by ANC and draws mostly Members of Parliament.

In 2008 the SAFPP came together four times. Topics included ‘Xenophobia’ and ‘Poverty, inequality and creating decent work’. The meetings contributed to more understanding of the position of other parties on current policy issues, building trust and finding common ground on several issues.

Possibilities for a more institutionalized form of dialogue have been explored. In two Forum meetings, NIMD shared its experience with the Centres for Multiparty Democracy (CMDs) in several other African countries.  Although the need for interparty dialogue was acknowledged by all parties, greater need was expressed for a dialogue platform that would include civil society organisations. The parties agreed to organize a meeting of Secretary Generals on the topic after elections in April 2009.