Zondo urged to appoint retired judge to help talks on national unity govt

The political parties include the United Democratic Movement, the African Christian Democratic Party, and Build One South Africa. 

After failing to clinch an outright majority in the recent general elections, the ANC opted to form a government of national unity with almost all parties that secured seats in the National Assembly. 

Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane said it is important for such a government to have a governance agenda. 

"Otherwise, all you will end up discussing are just positions amongst political parties," he said. 

"We have to own this moment to create a government that deals with 60 million South Africans. If we fail at the task of ensuring that we have a government that can achieve a stable economy, constitutional defence, safety in our communities, ensuring our education outcomes improve and that the election of leaders to any executive position does not include those who are unethical or corrupt, we are going to end up in a situation where we form this grand coalition and instead end up governing worse than the ANC,” Maimane warned. 

"I think what we are going to find is a grand coalition of parties between the ANC, DA and the IFP. That is what we are going to achieve. 

"What then is important is not to call that a government of national unity, call that a grand coalition. The job that we have to do is not just in forming a government, but in being able to get an apposition because if you do not have a constructive opposition, then we ultimately have a democratic government that is with impunity, and South Africa cannot afford that.” 

Maimane says discussions about the government of national unity require less ego and a focus on the 60 million South Africans. 

"If we fail at this task, the next five years could be very difficult for South Africa, making 2029 (general elections) impossible.”

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