By: Bright Ntuli
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has criticised the African National Congress (ANC)’s plan to broaden the Government of National Unity (GNU) by including additional political parties, labelling the move as counterproductive.
This comes after the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) last week resolved to extend invitations to more political parties to join the unity government.
The decision, according to the ANC, aims to “strengthen the GNU and promote inclusive governance”.
However, Steenhuisen has raised concerns over the lack of consultation, saying the DA, a key signatory to the Statement of Intent that formed the basis of the GNU, has not been formally briefed on the latest developments.
“As per the Statement of Intent, all major decisions affecting the structure of the GNU should be the subject of consultation among signatories. We have yet to be briefed on this matter,” Steenhuisen said.
The GNU was formed following the 29 May 2024 general elections, in which no single party secured an outright majority for the first time in South Africa’s democratic history. The ANC, which received around 40% of the vote, entered into a coalition agreement with several other parties, including the DA and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), to ensure a functioning government.
The Statement of Intent, signed in June 2024, outlines the principles of collaboration, policy coherence, and mutual respect among GNU partners. It also commits parties to joint decision-making on major governance issues.
While the ANC has argued that broadening the coalition could promote stability and reflect the will of a more diverse electorate, critics within the GNU warn that expanding too far could dilute accountability and policy coherence.
