One year on, SA's GNU marked by dysfunction and missed opportunities
A year into South Africa's Government of National Unity, political compromise remains elusive, raising concerns about gridlock, infrastructure decay, and coalition fragility amid hopes for economic reform and unity.
As South Africa marks the one-year anniversary of its Government of National Unity (GNU), the country stands at a crossroads—again. The 2024 general election failed to produce an outright majority, ushering in a coalition arrangement intended to provide political stability and economic direction.
But has it worked?
That was the central question of a webinar hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) on Thursday, chaired by Professor Purshottama Reddy, a governance expert.
The panel featured UKZN political science lecturer Zakhele Ndlovu, Merchant Africa director Advocate Lavan Gopaul, KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC Francois Rodgers, and Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Narend Singh.
Ndlovu noted that despite the hope surrounding the GNU's formation, the country remains mired in indecision and dysfunction.
'Eight months ago, I said we were at a crossroads. Guess what? We still are,' he said.
He cited legislative stalemates over key bills - the BELA, NHI and Expropriation Bills - as well as a deadlock on the national budget, as evidence of systemic gridlock.
'All these bills passed without DA support, yet the DA remains in the GNU. Some call it capitulation. I disagree,' said Ndlovu, arguing instead that the DA's legal challenge over the budget reflects profound unease.
Still, there have been flashes of unity. Ndlovu referenced a recent White House delegation led by President Cyril Ramaphosa: 'Seeing GNU partners speak with one voice gives us hope.'
Ndlovu narrowed his economic critique to two flashpoints: collapsing infrastructure and dysfunctional state-owned enterprises (SOEs).
'Electricity and water outages caused by poor maintenance are hurting business. Rail systems, especially those serving working-class routes like Stanger-Durban, have all but collapsed,' he said.
He called the cabinet's portfolio allocations 'misaligned,' pointing to Defence Minister Angie Motshekga's lack of military experience. 'Appointments must be based on competence, not political horse-trading.' beg to differ,' Ndlovu said.
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