Build One South Africa (Bosa) leader Mmusi Maimane has expressed concern over the Government of National Unity's (GNU) inability to reach legislative agreements, due to ideological and policy conflicts, calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to address the issues in his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Speaking at the pre-SONA briefing on Tuesday, Maimane voiced his frustration over the internal disputes within the GNU, which he believes has hindered progress.
Ramaphosa is expected to outline the priorities of the GNU on Thursday in Parliament, Cape Town, for the first time since its inception last year.
Maimane said the GNU which was initially praised as a fresh start of South Africa’s fractured political landscape, has turned out to be more of a political balancing act than a vehicle for meaningful change.
“The Government of National Unity (GNU) was heralded as a fresh start for South Africa’s fractured political landscape. However, six months in, it has proven to be more of a political balancing act than a vehicle for substantive change,” Maimane said.
Maimane, whose party rejected an offer to join the GNU at the national level following the May 29, 2024 general elections, pointed out that the internal conflicts within the coalition tarnished its image.
The signing of the key legislation, including the Land Expropriation Bill, the National Health Insurance (NHI), the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill, by Ramaphosa has sparked tensions within the GNU.
The Democratic Alliance (DA), which is part of the GNU, has strongly opposed these bills, and even threatened legal action against Ramaphosa.
Meanwhile, the ANC has rallied behind the bills, despite opposition from other coalition parties.
Maimane lamented the ongoing instability of parties within the GNU, criticising the coalition’s failure to reach an agreement on key policies.
“Rather than fostering stability, this alliance of political rivals has resulted in policy stagnation, with ANC-led governance prevailing despite the supposed inclusion of opposition voices,” he added.
Maimane said South Africans were promised a new political era focused on economic revitalisation and tangible improvements in daily life.
“Instead, the GNU’s inability to agree on a coherent policy direction has left these promises unfulfilled.”
In addition, Maimane expressed concern over pressing issues, such as high youth unemployment, unstable electricity supply, rising crime, and joblessness which continue to plague the nation under the GNU.
“The greatest crisis of all is that too many South Africans are living in poverty,” he said.
As Ramaphosa is expected to deliver his first GNU SONA address, IOL News reported on Monday that political analyst Goodenough Mashego said Ramaphosa might argue that progress has been made in combatting organised crime.
“He will focus on illicit mining and extortion gangs, which are among the biggest threats facing South Africa,” Mashego said.
“The operations at the Stilfontein, in the North West, could serve as an example, stating that the police went heavy on illegal miners and that it has sent a warning to other potential illegal miners that the government is not going to stand by.”
On unemployment, which now stands at 32.1%, Mashego suggested that Ramaphosa might highlight job creation through government incentives such as the presidential emergency stimulus package and the National Health Council and the National Research Council.
“There will likely be numbers showing employment opportunities created, however, critics will argue that these figures may not reflect the reality,” Mashego said.
Ramaphosa is likely to stress his success in passing the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill, despite strong opposition from the DA and other parties, and concerns over its implementation and costs.
The NHI advocates the creation of a state fund to cover the medical costs of all South Africans – most of whom do not have private medical care.
The controversial scheme further bars South African citizens from taking out private health insurance for treatment paid for by the fund.
“He will point out to the legislature the victory of signing the bill into law, even though its implementation is still hanging in the balance,” Mashego told IOL News.
IOL Politics