Kumbaya spirit has limits

Whatever the public communications on the unity between the government of national unity leaders, there obviously remain many lurking obstacles.

- William Saunderson-Meyer

One has to hand it to Cyril. He conducts, like a maestro, the impromptu and motley 10-part ensemble that stands between him and political oblivion and between SA and economic disaster.

Last weekend, President Ramaphosa summoned the leaders of the nine political parties that, along with the ANC, comprise the government of national unity (GNU) to a secret two-day meeting. It's the first meeting between the GNU leaders in 177 days, according to Rapport. "Strategic retreat", is Ramaphosa's new label for one of those touchy-feely talk-shops that his predecessors called a bosberaad or lekgotla.

The name might have changed, but the kumbaya spirit of rainbow nation days is undimmed. Ramaphosa said that "amid moments of serious talk" there were "moments of quiet and nice joy", while Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi called it a time of "collaboration and reflection". The PA's Gayton McKenzie said the spirit of unity in the GNU is now of "holy" proportions.