GNU unites old foes, sparks new friendships

After weeks of negotiations, the 7th administration, under the Government of National Unity (GNU), has finally come together.

Much to the disappointment of many, the ANC will be co-governing with the DA, the Freedom Front Plus, the IFP and the PA after it failed to secure majority of votes in last month’s elections for the first time in 30 years, securing 40% of the vote.

While the Ts and Cs of the group’s contractual agreement have not been made public yet, the ANC has assured South Africans they will know the details of the deal soon enough.

This comes amid concerns from various quarters of society that the ANC’s decision to work with parties like the DA, which are seen as representing the interests of the white minority, and the IFP which critics say collaborated with the country’s white supremacist government during apartheid, will be the end of the liberation movement.

ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula, has nonetheless dismissed the fears – saying the governing party will never lose its DNA and become a shadow of itself.

[WATCH] The ANC engages with all political parties with decency and maturity. The most important thing as we engage is to safeguard who we are, which is the identity of our movement, and what we represent, which is the National Democratic Revolution.#ANCNEC#LetsDoMoreTogether https://t.co/gkKrZW62V5 pic.twitter.com/ZYQUYkBhUU

— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) June 13, 2024

The 48 hours leading to the first sitting of the National Assembly, saw opposition parties, who had for years been at each other’s necks, talking confidently about their desire for a unified government that will prioritise the needs of the people.

“From today, the DA will co-govern the Republic of South Africa in a spirit of unity and collaboration,” said DA leader, John Steenhuisen.

It is my privilege to report to you that, after two weeks of thorough negotiations that only concluded after today’s sitting of Parliament had already started, the DA has reached agreement on the statement of intent for the formation of a Government of National Unity. 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/GoVFTJsPbG

— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) June 14, 2024

IFP leader, Velenkosini Hlabisa, urged political parties to find each other, find common ground, put the interests of the country first, and move the country forward.

Acknowledging that this might not be an easy adjustment for supporters, Hlabisa said it was a necessary feat.

[ON AIR] The IFP has decided to form part of the #GNU. The first sitting of the 7th administration is set for Friday. Tune in to #eNCA channel #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/QLvIGP0n0l

— eNCA (@eNCA) June 12, 2024

While the Freedom Front Plus, which largely represents the voices of the Afrikaner people has been mum on its decision to join the GNU, party leader Pieter Groenewald recently revealed to journalists that the party hadn’t forgotten about the Phala Phala scandal.

Foul play?

The GNU has given birth to an opposition group, called the Progressive Caucus.

Hours before the swearing in of MPs on Friday, the Caucus, which include the EFF, Al Jama-ah, the UDM, UAT, ATM and the PAC JAMA-AH, and UDM, UAT, ATM and the PAC cried foul.

ATM leader, Vuyo Zungula, accused the ANC of having cherry-picked parties that it wanted to work with and having lied to the country about them forming a GNU.

The EFF on the other hand labelled the new government as a plan B for the Oppenheimers.

The red barrettes, however, expressed their keenness to work with the GNU – only if it doesn’t include right-wing and “reactionary political parties”.

Regarding the MK Party leadership squabbles, EFF leader, Julius Malema, dispelled the criticism the party has received, insisting that Jacob Zuma’s organisation is going through teething problems and will overcome its current troubles, which he said, come with the territory.

While the MKP was a no-show at the inaugural sitting of the National Assembly, it remains to be seen whether they will be attending the Presidential inauguration on Wednesday.

Party leader, Jacob Zuma, is set to address the media in Johannesburg today, a speech which might give an idea on what the party’s next move will be. Written by Nokwazi Qumbisa