GNU now represents ‘majority of SA voters’
Political analyst Goodenough Mashego says that the decision by more political parties to join the government of national unity provides it with a broader mandate.
Ten parties have signed a historic agreement confirming their intention to form part of the GNU.
These are the ANC, DA, PA, IFP, GOOD, PAC, FF+, UM, RISE Mzansi and Al-Jama-ah.
The parties collectively hold about 70% of the votes from the 2024 general elections.
The ANC says negotiations have begun on the formation of an executive, which President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to announce soon.
Mashego said more South Africans will now be able to support the GNU, as it represents the majority of the country’s voters.
“The earlier construct of the ANC, DA and IFP was lacking as being the government of national unity because one could sense that there was a little bit of acrimony on the part that UDM and others who went to join the Progressive Caucus.
“So, it is a good sign for Cyril Ramaphosa as it also broadens his capacity to appoint an executive, and I think that’s why it has been delayed.”
Mashego doesn’t believe the GNU would be as influential without the DA.
“If the GNU didn’t have the DA, it would be a thin majority that doesn’t even constitute two-thirds, which will mean that whatever South Africans want to see happen will not happen.
“Right now, they are sitting on more than two-thirds, which means if they want to revisit the issue of the NHI, BELA Act they can easily do it because they have got the numbers to push it through.
“My prediction is that the DA will not get the ten posts because they are the party that has always spoken about how slim government needs to be. So, if they go there and want ten cabinet posts, it means all the other ten partners will want ministerial posts. This will mean 20 ministers before we even put the ANC on the equation, which will want a chunk of ministers.”
At the same time, Mashego warns the DA’s decision to join the GNU could leave the country without an effective opposition.
“I think the downside could be accountability because the problem with everyone agreeing is that there are very few dissenting voices.
“So, we might reach a stage whereby the checks and balances that should be provided by organisations like SCOPA and others in the portfolio committees in Parliament, they start lacking because a portfolio committee led by a DA member cannot really objectively hold a department that is led by DA minister accountable the way it would do if it were someone else from the ANC, UDM, PA or Rise Mzansi.”
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