The ANC will embark on what is expected to be tough and robust negotiations to reconfigure the government of national unity (GNU), having resolved on its expansion during its national executive committee (NEC) meeting. The GNU in its current form is a dead horse, and I think perhaps an injection of new blood is needed
In his closing address, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the NEC had resolved to include other parties in the GNU. The decision came as no surprise as various members of the ANC’s leadership, including those within its top brass, had been calling for a reconfigured GNU.
The ANC has been at loggerheads with its biggest partners in the government, with the recent disagreements provoked by Ramaphosa’s decision to fire DA deputy minister of trade, industry & competition Andrew Whitfield. In protest, the DA denounced the national dialogue and threatened to reject budgets of ANC ministers accused of wrongdoing. This was considered a tipping point between the two partners.
- Ramaphosa said that managing parliamentary committees had not been an easy process for the ANC, and its caucus is developing new ways of building relations with parties with whom they don’t always agree.
“The budget process has taught us many lessons, including being able to build tactical and issue-based voting alliances with other parties. We welcome the co-operation on the budget, including with parties that are not part of the GNU. This co-operation is a real demonstration of acting in the interests of the people of SA. The overall picture is that, despite all the noise, through the GNU we have been able to safeguard the core progressive policy agenda of the national democratic revolution, which is the core pillar of ANC policies,” he said.
It has been reported that ANC leaders were calling for the inclusion of parties that had helped it to help pass the budget during its second attempt. Those parties included the National Coloured Congress (NCC), ActionSA and Build One SA (Bosa). While the ANC has resolved to include these parties in the GNU, the DA is likely to push back against this decision.
On Monday evening, Ramaphosa said the NEC had discussed how to proceed with respect to the GNU.
“The NEC considered a number of options about how to strengthen the GNU and improve its effectiveness and stability to give full and proper effect to the statement of intent that was signed by the GNU parties and the three strategic priorities of the seventh administration,” Ramaphosa said.
“We have agreed to engage with parties that are willing to play a constructive role in furthering national unity and stability so we can achieve our three strategic priorities, namely: driving inclusive growth and job creation; reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living; and building a capable developmental state.
The GNU in its current form is a dead horse, and I think perhaps an injection of new blood is needed
— Fadiel Adams
Ramaphosa and ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula have resisted calls in the ANC to remove the DA after several impasses. The two leaders have argued to keep the DA in the GNU, fearing a possible motion of no confidence. Without the DA’s 21% the ANC would be vulnerable to attacks in parliament should it choose to form a government with minority parties.
Those who have been against the DA have argued that its inclusion in the GNU has become untenable. The majority, who are accompanied by ANC chair Gwede Mantashe, deputy president Paul Mashatile, finance minister Enoch Godongwana and chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli, have argued that the ANC would survive any attacks in parliament provided that the party negotiated with parties such as the EFF on an issue-by-issue basis.
Ramaphosa’s own words have helped seal the NEC’s position and attitude on the DA. Audio captured in a caucus meeting during the budget impasse had Ramaphosa identifying the DA as having defined itself outside the GNU.
NEC insiders said after the meeting on Monday that the decision to expand the GNU would force the DA to leave on its own. They said this would make conditions for the DA to stay unbearable should the three parties wish to take executive roles in key departments.
ActionSA chair Michael Beaumont said his party had not seen the GNU as capable of delivering change in its present form. “While we would not want to speculate on engagements that have not happened, should such an engagement transpire, ActionSA’s considerations will be based on whether our involvement will bring about the much-needed reforms in our country.”
NCC leader Fadiel Adams said: “We will have a look at what he has said, and if an invitation to join the GNU and contribute to the upliftment of all of our people is made, we will surely discuss it. The GNU in its current form is a dead horse, and I think perhaps an injection of new blood is needed,” he said.
Bosa’s Mmusi Maimane said the nature of any conversation with the ANC would be predicated on the nature of reforms the GNU commits to achieving.
“The mistake that we don’t want to make is to end up on the bus but not clear where the bus is trying to get us to, and the net consequence of that is that you can be a passenger on the bus, but you are not committed to the destination,” Maimane said.
