The Democratic Alliance (DA) has revealed that it has not received any formal communication from the African National Congress (ANC) regarding proposals to expand the Government of National Unity (GNU), deepening existing tensions between the two coalition partners.
The ANC recently resolved to bring additional political parties into the GNU after facing challenges in passing the national budget with the DA’s support. However, DA leader John Steenhuisen has criticized the move, stating that any expansion of the GNU must follow the agreed-upon Statement of Intent, which requires “sufficient consensus” from existing partners.
Dispute Over GNU Expansion
Steenhuisen emphasized that the current GNU—comprising 10 parties—is already one of the largest coalitions in the world, and adding more parties could further complicate governance.
“I don’t believe that expanding the GNU is going to assist the GNU to go forward. I think it’s going to complicate things even further,” he said. “Rather than expanding, we should focus on improving relations among current GNU partners, enhancing consultation, and strengthening conflict resolution mechanisms.”
The DA insists that the ANC has not formally engaged it on the matter, despite the requirement for mutual agreement before new parties are admitted.
National Dialogue and Economic Concerns
Another point of contention is the ANC’s planned National Dialogue, which the DA has dismissed as lacking credibility. Steenhuisen argued that South Africans are weary of “talk shops” and need urgent action to revive the economy.
“Economic growth is stagnant while poverty, inequality, and underdevelopment run rampant,” he said. The DA is pushing for private-sector involvement in key infrastructure sectors, particularly freight rail and port operations, to address inefficiencies at state-owned Transnet.
“Government doesn’t have the money required to invest in our ports and rail networks,” Steenhuisen said. “The only way to fix them is through public-private partnerships. Our peer countries in Africa have done this successfully, while South Africa’s ports are being bypassed for neighboring nations’ more efficient hubs.”
Call to Remove “Red Tape”
The DA has characterized South Africa’s economy as being in the “ICU” and in need of urgent resuscitation. The party is advocating for reduced bureaucratic hurdles to stimulate investment and economic growth, arguing that the current system benefits only those with political connections.
As tensions simmer, neither the ANC nor the DA appears willing to exit the GNU, but the widening rift threatens to destabilize South Africa’s already fragile coalition government. With budget negotiations and policy disagreements intensifying, the future of the GNU remains uncertain.