Mbalula: Important to work across political divide

He delivered the keynote address at the Institute for Global Engagement in Irene on Tuesday. 

Mbalula said that while not everyone agrees with the option to establish a government of national unity, they respect the difference of views.

However, the ANC set out to find solutions based on putting citizens first following its poor showing in the elections in May. 

 “Unlike a coalition, the government of national unity is a more inclusive form of government that brings together disparate parties, including those that disagree ideologically with us, to put the interest of the nation first,” Mbalula said. 

“Our principled approach to the GNU was to invite all parties to the table and engage in a constructive manner, putting the interests of the people and the country first.” 

Mbalula’s remarks came as a new poll by the South African Institute of Race Relations found that most South Africans believe the government of national unity will remain intact. 

The IRR’s Herman Pretorius briefed the media on the institute's latest opinion poll on the state of South Africa on Tuesday morning.

During the first 100 days in office, the two biggest political parties in the GNU, the ANC and the DA, have been at loggerheads over issues such as the Basic Educational Laws Amendment Act and the implementation of the National Health Insurance. 

Pretorius said that failing to maintain the GNU formation for a full term will allow parties such as the EFF and the MK Party to gain more traction.

"Two-thirds of South Africans, 66%, say it is likely, 21%, saying it is unlikely,  and 12% undecided. Within this data, the political parties shouldn't just see an estimation of what South Africans see happening over the next five years but also something of hope, an expectation that the DA and the ANC will remain together over the next five years in the GNU.“