One Year of GNU: Young South Africans say, ‘this is not what we voted for'
A year into the Government of National Unity, many young South Africans say the reality of unemployment, poor service delivery, and corruption is not the future they voted for.
Image: SoraAI
'Unemployment remains critically high, service delivery frustrations continue across many municipalities, and corruption scandals still emerge'.
These are the words of Eastern Cape youth voicing concern over challenges after one year of South Africa's GNU.
They say this is not what they voted for.
Speaking with IOL News, as the country marks one anniversary of GNU, Inathi Madandile, from Mount Fletcher in the Eastern Cape, said the coalition at the national level is totally what she expected.
She said it is not yielding any positive results for ordinary citizens.
'Personally, I would say the GNU is not working for South Africans. There are a lot of promises that were made during the formation of the GNU which are still not met,' said the 24-year-old.
'Unfortunately, the GNU has not delivered in any meaningful way, at least not yet. These issues are deep-rooted and complex, and while the GNU have acknowledged them, the pace of implementation and visible results has been slow.'
'For example, unemployment remains critically high, service delivery frustrations continue across many municipalities, and corruption scandals still emerge… this is not what we voted for at all.'
The Government of National Unity (GNU) was formed after the May 2024 elections, where African National Congress (ANC) secured only 40% of the vote, losing its long-held parliamentary majority.
However, the coalition has since been fraught with tension, especially between the ANC and DA, with policy disagreements straining its ability to function effectively.
The stability and future of the GNU remain uncertain amid ongoing political infighting.
Madandile said she has little faith that the GNU can deliver real change for everyday South Africans.
'No, it cannot,' she told IOL News.
'We need a united government, and the GNU has shown itself to be one of conflicting ideologies and priorities. They're too focused on internal conflicts and not on the real issues affecting people.'
Another Eastern Cape youth, Morena Nkosi from Matatiele, did not mince his words when asked whether the GNU had delivered on its mandate.
'For now, I see nothing. We have a high crime rate, unemployment, and dismantled government entities. The only thing they've done is oppose a VAT increase, but what does that help when we're hit with a new petrol levy?' said the 24-year-old.
Nkosi argued that most pressing issues are being minimally addressed in urban centers while rural and township communities are neglected.
'Maybe they're still in the process of implementing, and yes, in Tshwane GPU governance seems to be working under the new mayor,' he said.
'But when I voted last year, I was looking for a new party to lead - not for the ANC to stay in power through a coalition.'
Nkosi criticised the ANC's 30-year tenure, saying it has squandered the country's resources through corruption.
'We have all the resources, but politicians are corrupt. Even if the country were white-led, maybe systems would change, but the black majority still wouldn't have economic freedom. And as it stands, we don't have that freedom either.'
He added, 'Things will never change for as long as the ANC holds the majority. The DA is trying to build but is sharing a bed with the ANC. The other parties have lost the plot. Political parties are now run like companies, just chasing tenders for personal gain.'
Meanwhile, political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe described the GNU as a 'patient in ICU' that has yet to walk or provide clear direction for the country.
'There's no coherent message from the GNU. The only thing they seem united on is keeping the EFF and MK out of power. That's their only consistent stance,' he said.
Seepe criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa's narrative that the GNU reflects the people's will.
'The GNU is actually a result of the people rejecting the ANC,' he said.
'Under Ramaphosa's leadership, the ANC has lost 22% of the vote - 5% in 2019 and another 17% in 2024. That's a clear vote of no confidence.'
He added that any leader who lost that much support would normally step down.
'Instead, Ramaphosa is spinning the GNU as a win. But this coalition is a result of failure, not success.'
Seepe said the coalition is a marriage of convenience, held together not by common purpose, but by mutual opposition to parties like the EFF and MK.
Meanwhile, Thabo Mopasi, from Alexandra township in Gauteng, argued that the GNU has made some progress but acknowledged much work remains.
'Stability and cooperation among parties have improved, which is positive. I hope other parties like MKP and EFF will join without conditions,' he said.
Mopasi said promising projects to address unemployment, crime, and poverty have been implemented, but said tangible results will take time.
'Infrastructure, healthcare, and service delivery still need significant improvement, especially as many youth and graduates remain unemployed,' he added.
Mokgadi Sefora, 33, from Mentz outside Polokwane, in Limpopo, said internal clashes are undermining the GNU's ability to govern.
'The parties in the GNU are not united. They keep clashing on policies like the Land Expropriation Act, National Health Insurance (NHI), and the BELA Bill. The DA opposes all of these,' she said.
'We didn't vote for more gridlock…We voted for real change, like tackling unemployment, crime, and gender-based violence. But they have failed dismally.'
She added that the GNU is filled with leaders pushing their own agendas.
'They're not serving the people. And corruption is still rampant.'
Sefora referenced several high-profile corruption scandals that have gone unpunished, such as those involving Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane and Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni as a former municipal manager.
Simelane was previously the mayor of Polokwane when she took a R575,600 loan from the now-collapsed VBS Mutual Bank to buy a coffee shop in Sandton.
She has also been linked to inflated billing during her time with Eskom contractor Vitrovian, allegations she denies.
Ntshavheni, meanwhile, has been under investigation by the Hawks for R2.5 million in alleged tender fraud during her tenure at Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality.
When asked if the GNU has addressed any of the country's major issues - corruption, unemployment, crime, poverty, service delivery, Sefora was blunt.
'No. The GNU is too busy fighting itself. It's just a holding space until the next election.'
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