African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has admitted that the party hates the Government of National Unity (GNU).
The Government of National Unity (GNU) was formed after the historic 29 May elections, in which the ANC polled less than 50%, thus losing its Parliamentary majority. As a result, the party roped in the Democratic Alliance (DA), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), and other parties to form a government.
FIKILE MBALULA SAYS ANC HATES GNU
Mbalula’s admission comes as some DA and ANC members have been at loggerheads regarding the formation of the GNU.
“When it comes to the African National Congress, I can tell you now, we hate the GNU. The fact that I must be woken up by an opposition leader every day about this and that, I don’t like it. But that’s how democracy is, it humbles you,” he said,
Defending his statement, Mbalula clarified that the GNU is a coalition formed by different political parties who don’t have the same ideological background. In its nature, a GNU is formed by political rivals.
HELEN ZILLE ACCUSED OF OPPORTUNISM
Mbalula’s admission comes as he launched a scathing attack on DA’s federal chairperson Helen Zille labelling her as an opportunist.
During a media briefing on Thursday, 7 November, Mbalula lashed out at Zille for her claims, saying that in her remarks, Zille exposes her agenda: to push herself into a position of undue influence within the GNU while undermining the ANC’s foundational role.
“We need to make it very clear: If the DA wants to leave the GNU, it’s their call. They can leave tonight, tomorrow, or anytime they want or wish to leave. This divisive narrative lacks both historical truth and relevance to our current transformation efforts. Her intent is clear—to delegitimize the ANC’s leadership and derail the transformative projects that are central to our National Democratic Revolution. However, these tactics will not deter us,” Mbalula said.
Further, Mbalula said Zille’s attempts to portray herself as influential in South Africa’s future, but the reality is that South Africans have repeatedly chosen the ANC to lead, a mandate reaffirmed through democratic processes.
“Zille’s conduct is a vivid reminder of her own deep-seated racial biases and a divisive agenda that attempts to exploit identity politics rather than foster genuine unity.
“From orchestrated marches to the Voortrekker Monument to openly exclusionary rhetoric, the DA’s pattern of behavior speaks volumes about its intentions and underlying values,” Mbalula added.
On Tuesday, 5 November, the DA, Freedom Front Plus, Solidarity and AfriForummarched from the Voortrekker Monument to Freedom Park protesting against the Bela Act which president Cyril Ramaphosa signed on 13 September.
FOLLOWING MBALULA’S SENTIMENTS DO YOU THINK THE GNU WOULD LAST?
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