Allowing GNU to dictate foreign policy is ‘micro-management'
South Africa's foreign policy is dictated by several existing frameworks and not the whims of parties within the government of national unity (GNU).
This was the sentiment relayed by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola in the build-up to his department's budget speech on Thursday.
GNU members have been critical of South Africa's stance on international issues, accusing the ANC of inserting its own bias into foreign relations.
'Follow procedure'
A Freedom Front Plus (FF+) delegation this week returned from the United States, and a DA parliamentarian earlier this year called for an overhaul of the nation's foreign policy.
Lamola stressed that his department's work was bound by the African Union's Agenda 2063, South Africa's framework document on national interest, the Foreign Services Act, and the Constitution of South Africa.
He stated that the ANC, as the previous majority leader in parliament, followed all required paths of participation and consultation in formulating and enacting the current policies.
The minister urged any parliamentarian or party that wished to change the mandate of his department to follow parliamentary procedure.
'If there is any GNU partner that wants a review or consultation on the foreign policy, they can initiate the process,' said Lamola.
'We are implementing the policy perspective of the South African government, so there is no basis for anyone to complain because we are not out of line,' he explained.
GNU opposition
FF+ leader Corner Mulder earlier this week called President Cyril Ramaphosa's meeting with US President Donald Trump a 'failure', saying their visit had a different tone to the star-studded visit in May.
Mulder said his delegation was told that in order to better diplomatic ties with the US, the ANC needed to denounce the 'kill the boer' chant.
Additionally, farm attacks needed to be declared a priority crime, land expropriation without compensation must be scrapped, and US companies must be exempt from employment equity laws.
In the same month as Ramaphosa's visit, DA spokesperson on International Relations Emma Powell called for a 'consensus-based' review of how South Africa portrayed itself on the international stage.
'In light of the critical need to grow our economy and create jobs, South Africa's foreign policy must now be driven by an unwavering commitment to our country's domestic growth, rather than being dictated by the ANC's historical and fraternal allegiances,' Powell stated.
'Micro-management'
Lamola said they would not promote policy positions put forward by GNU members simply because they had earned a seat at the collective governance table.
'There is no political party that, just on the basis that they are a member of the GNU, can impose its policies on South Africans.
'It's shocking that they would want us to implement what is not in the law, but implement what [they] themselves as political parties want us to do. That is not in the interest of South Africans,' Lamola said.
He added that all GNU members had agreed to uphold the Constitution of South Africa and existing policies, and that allowing any one member to dictate policy changes would be against the spirit of the GNU's statement of intent.
'It's not practically possible, but that also becomes micro-management. In all our international platforms we go to, we seek a mandate from Cabinet [first].'
US participation in G20
Lamola was asked about the US' participation in the G20 summit to be held in Johannesburg in November, with the minister urging US officials to play a constructive role in the gathering.
He said the G20 was a consensus-based organisation and that the US had a pivotal role in shaping the G20's policies.
'It is important they make contributions towards the outcomes document…and work towards a consolidated final declaration,'
'It would be great if the US participates so that the outcome is embraced by all member countries,' said Lamola.
NOW READ: FF Plus claims White House officials want ANC to publicly denounce 'Kill the Boer' chant
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
42 minutes ago
- IOL News
DA still mum on axed Andrew Whitfield's replacement
The fired deputy minister of Trade and Industry, Andrew Whitfield. Image: DTIC THE DA has yet to submit a replacement name to take over axed Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Andrew Whitfield, the Presidency confirmed on Thursday. Whitfield was shown the door with immediate effect last week for taking a trip to the US without Ramaphosa's permission. The reasons for the trip remain unclear, and both Whitfield and the DA did not respond to questions on Thursday. In dismissing Whitfield, Ramaphosa had noted that 'his travel to the United States was a clear violation of the rules and established practices governing the conduct of Members of the Executive. This requirement is known to all Ministers and Deputy Ministers. These rules and established practices were expressly communicated to all members of the Executive during the induction sessions at the commencement of the 7th administration'. Asked about Whitfield's intention for visiting the US and how significant this was in the decision to remove him from cabinet, Ramaphosa's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya would only say: 'The President has made his decision, the matter is done. There's no further explanation or debate that's going to alter that decision. The President is still waiting for a replacement name from the DA that he will consider.' The DA did not respond to questions on why Whitfield had travelled to the US and whether the party supported his trip. Weighing on the matter, international relations expert Siseko Maposa, from Surgetower Associates Management Consultancy, suggested that the trip may have been influenced by the strained relations between the United States and South Africa at the time, as well as the DA's parallel attempts to negotiate independently, possibly through ex parte channels. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'We can certainly engage in speculation about the motivations behind Former Deputy Minister of DTIC Whitfield's travels, particularly given the strained US-SA relations at the time and the DA's parallel efforts to negotiate ex parte,' Maposa said. 'One might even reasonably consider whether Ramaphosa deliberately ignored Whitfield's authorisation request precisely to deter the DA's efforts aimed at gaining an independent diplomatic channel with the US administration – we can't be sure.' He said the more substantive issue transcends party squabbles, it speaks to the 'erosion of statecraft' in South Africa. 'When deputy ministers traverse borders without authorisation, it undermines the coherence of governance and, ultimately, the sanctity of statehood itself. This shouldn't be about ANC or the DA – it ought to be about whether South Africa's leadership, across factions, grasps the gravity of disciplined state function. If the DA truly internalised this principle, its opposition to Ramaphosa's decision would likely be more measured. "Deeper still, this episode exposes the GNU's fundamental flaw: a coalition pulling in opposing directions, lacking a shared framework for negotiation, and failing to distinguish between government (the act of holding office) and governance (the art of wielding it effectively). Until this disconnect is resolved, such incidents will remain symptoms of a system in disarray.' Cape Times
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Newspaper headlines from around the world - Friday, 4 July 2025
Here are the stories that made headlines on the front pages of newspapers worldwide on Friday, 4 July 2025. The New York Times front page reported that Trump's deal undermines a U.S. inquiry into a gang. The Washington Post front page reported that a major GOP bill is ready for Trump's signature. The Jerusalem Post's front page reported that Netanyahu visited Nir Oz for the first time since October 7. China Daily's front page reported that Xi pointed the way to Xiamen's prosperity. The Daily Mail's front page reported: 'The doctor in your pocket will see you now.' The Guardian's front page reported that hundreds were killed as Israel stepped up Gaza strikes despite hopes for a ceasefire. If you wish to stay up-to-date – for FREE – on the latest international and South African news, then bookmark The South African website for all that plus the latest in the world of finance, sport, lifestyle – and more. Did we mention it was 100% free to read …?
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
MKP stands by Chief Whip Makhubele as Ndhlela is confirmed fired
MKP parliamentary leader Dr John Hlophe and Chief Whip Colleen Makhubele during a press briefing at Parliament. Image: Armand Hough The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has confirmed that Colleen Makhubele remains firmly in her position as Chief Whip, despite purported suggestions of a petition calling for her removal. At a press briefing held in Parliament on Thursday, MKP parliamentary leader Dr John Hlophe said it was false that a letter had been sent to party president Jacob Zuma to oust Makhubele. 'There is no letter, there is no petition, in terms of which MPs are calling for the head of the Chief Whip. This is a figment of someone's imagination,' said Hlophe. The party said recent internal changes, including the removal of spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela from its whippery, were strategic and administrative, not evidence of factionalism. Hlophe said the MKP is reorienting itself towards legislative impact and preparing constitutional amendments, including a proposed revision of Section 235 of the Constitution, which relates to self-determination. 'We don't believe South Africa belongs to just anyone who lives here,' Hlophe said. 'You must be a citizen of this country before you can say, 'I am a South African'. You can't visit here for two weeks and say, 'I love Constantia, I live here now, I must benefit'. We are bringing serious amendments to the Constitution, and that means realignment of internal parliamentary functions.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading On the matter of the former deputy whip, Ndhlela, who contested his removal, Hlophe confirmed that a termination letter had been sent and received. 'Initially, he said he hadn't received the letter. When it became clear that he had, he changed the story and said the signature on the letter was forged. I can confirm that the letter came from my office.' Makhubele said the rumours had caused unnecessary disruption and she expressed disappointment at how the matter played out publicly. Responding to the rumoured petition against her, Makhubele said: 'There is no such letter. I haven't seen it. The caucus hasn't seen it. We're coming from a caucus meeting, and we're all shocked. It has dented our image, and we want to ensure this never happens again.' She emphasised that the MKP caucus is made up of members from diverse political backgrounds but unified under one constitutional vision. 'All of us, whether we came from COPE, ACDP, the DA or the Patriotic Alliance, have aligned ourselves with the MK Party constitution and the people's mandate,' she said. The party also introduced its new portfolio leaders, described as equivalent to shadow ministers, who will lead on key areas such as public service, land reform, and economic transformation. Makhubele said the MKP's legislative priorities will include land expropriation without compensation, decolonisation of the economy, and constitutional recognition of traditional leaders.
