Local elections could threaten

After 18 months, SA's Government of National Unity seems to be more stable after some initial teething problems. But there are several forces that could derail this progress.

- By Suné Payne and Victoria O'Regan

The upcoming local government elections have the power to potentially upset the somewhat stable GNU relations. Magwenya said the elections would “test” the GNU.

Meanwhile, ideological and policy differences among the GNU parties, particularly the ANC and the DA, have continued to put added pressure on the power-sharing arrangement. However, the feeling among most parties in the GNU is that it is starting to experience a measure of stability. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu told Daily Maverick that one of the GNU’s core strengths has been its “institutional stability”.

“Despite early tensions, the GNU has maintained policy continuity, protected fiscal credibility and ensured government does not grind to a halt. There has also been a maturing culture of negotiation, where differences are resolved through structured processes rather than confrontation,” Bhengu said.

DA leader John Steenhuisen seemed to agree. “The GNU has shown institutional resilience, maintaining continuity despite disagreements,” he said. “Decision-making has become more consultative. Importantly, it has demonstrated that political competition and cooperation can coexist, marking a meaningful shift in governance culture.”

According to Steenhuisen, the 2025 Budget bust-up marked a defining moment for the GNU. The DA was one of the parties that took the VAT hike to court.

“It illustrated that the DA was not simply going to rubber-stamp government decisions where they were misaligned with our values and what is in the best interests of South Africans. This brought about a more ‘consultative’ approach, which is welcomed.”