ANC’s reliance on GNU to shape policy trajectory a ‘troubling shift

MUCH fanfare is made of the fact that South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) represents 60% of the voters in the 2024 general election.

- DR RENEVA FOURIE

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa, his deputy Paul Mashatile and other leaders of the Government of National Unity gathered for a retreat at the Cradle Stone Boutique Hotel in Mogale City on November 1. They paused discussions to follow the Proteas Women's clash against India in the ICC Cricket World Cup final.

(I GCIS)

What is not recognised is that most South Africans did not vote, and that of those who did, the majority, by far, supported parties that claimed to represent the working class and the poor.

If the ANC still regards itself as a centre-left movement, rooted in the struggle for equality, then it must acknowledge that it carries the responsibility to defend those who have placed their hopes in it.

The current arrangement, in which the 10 political parties that constitute the GNU, the Leaders’ Forum, now set the strategic political direction for the country, raises deep concern about whose interests are being prioritised.

Cohesion within the GNU has been overdue for a considerable time, especially since the DA, which secured only 21.8% of the vote, persists in positioning itself outside of the structure.

The DA not only challenges policies designed to rectify past injustices, such as black economic empowerment, but also claims the achievements of collective efforts as its own.

The two-day retreat of the GNU leadership at the Cradle of Humankind last weekend was a much-needed team-building exercise to strengthen cooperation and unity. However, the elevation of this gathering into a policy-making body is a troubling shift.

In any government that claims to represent the people, policy should be determined by the party that received the largest share of the vote. While the ANC did not achieve an outright majority in 2024, it remains the largest political party within the GNU and is most rooted in a historic mission of social justice.