Is GNU helping South Africa or hindering it?

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Following yet another overturned billed, the question must be asked: is GNU helping South Africa or actually getting in the way of effective governance? When the coalition Government of National Unity (GNU) came about after the May 2024 elections, many felt democracy had won the day in South Africa.

The DA agreed to an alliance with the ANC – and eight smaller rivals – after elections in May 2024 failed to produce an outright winner … and the ANC had lost its outright majority for the first time in 30 years.

However, one-year on, speaking apolitically, what progress do we actually have to show for this democratic arrangement? Is GNU helping South Africa or hindering forward progress? It would appear the main sticking point in the coalition is what the ANC terms DA interference …

IS GNU HELPING SOUTH AFRICA?

Overturned VAT increases may have been victories for the consumer, but at what cost to efficient governance? Image: File

Let’s set aside political affiliations and look at it dispassionately. Following the February 2025 Budget debacle, we’re onto a third draft budget and still no closer to finalising the nation’s finances. The DA has challenged of the Employment Equity Amendment Act and Expropriation Act in yet another Con Court broadside on ANC policy.

Likewise, President Ramaphosa has been asked to account for his decision making on National Health Insurance (NHI). And the Constitutional Court ruled this week against the Citizenship Act. With a toe seemingly in the door, the DA seems emboldened to disrupt every ANC policy possible.

Therefore, it’s no wonder that two thirds of ANC MPs confronted secretary-general Fikile Mbalula this past weekend to have the DA ejected from the coalition. The Sunday Times reported, “Citing the DA’s constant opposition, several MPs questioned why the ANC was sticking with the GNU in current form.”

SAFEGUARD THE ECONOMY

GNU helping South Africa — DA Chair of the Federal Council, Helen Zille, has been at the forefront of many constitutional challenges of ANC policy. Image: File

When the GNU was formed, all members agreed to ‘safeguard the constitution and prioritise the economy.’ However, it would appear that each side interprets these goals very differently.

Furthermore, the DA is now launching another constitutional challenge on race-based quotas. “They destroy jobs, undermine the economy, and violate the constitutional rights of all South Africans,” said the DA.

In response, Chair of the DA Federal Council, Helen Zille, even highlighted how ‘unusual’ the current GNU coalition is. “It’s a very interesting feature of South Africa that parties can take each other head-on within GNU and still survive,” said Zille.

POLLS SAY GNU STILL POPULAR

Zille went on to explain that despite delays, all the party’s polls say GNU is helping South Africa and it is still enormously popular across the board. “For as long as that remains the case, we will continue fighting, standing up for residents, and we will remain in the GNU,” Zille explained.

“All the smaller GNU parties are only there by the grace and favour of the ANC,” said the DA Chair. Zille believes that is why they are so quick to please President Ramaphosa. However, a leadership change within the ANC could reverse this, warned Zille.

“I can tell you that if Vice President Paul Mashatile succeeds President Ramaphosa, he will not want the DA in the GNU. His first order of business will be to get rid of us. And the GNU coalition as we know it would end,” concluded Zille.