Latest news with #anti-DA
Eyewitness News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Leon believes the tensions between the DA & ANC in the GNU will benefit both parties in some form
CAPE TOWN - Former Democratic Alliance (DA) leader, Tony Leon, believes however the tensions between the African National Congress (ANC) and the DA play out in the Government of National Unity (GNU), it will have benefited both parties in one way or another. Speaking to the Cape Town Press Club on Monday about his sixth book, titled Being There , Leon believes an "anti-DA" sentiment can have political mileage for both parties as they head to their respective elective conferences. Leon, who was one of the DA's GNU negotiators, said it was part of healthy political debate for both parties to have disagreements over the DA's presence within the GNU. While Leon doesn't believe the GNU has yet made any notable achievements in turning the country's misfortunes around, he said praise was due for keeping the partnership together, considering the battles it's already faced. "I think that in itself shows a degree of maturity on both sides, because they are both relatively big parties, who have differences of opinion, and to still have maintained the government is an achievement." He predicted two upcoming stress points for the two major parties, the next local government elections and the ANC's 2027 leadership contest. "I think if someone like Paul Mashatile is elected as the president of the ANC, which must have some prospect, I would be surprised if the GNU lasts to 2029." Leon said that even within the DA itself, where the party is not unanimous on whether the GNU has been a sage political move, there should be ongoing descensus and debate over whether it should stay, go, or renegotiate its terms.
The Citizen
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
ANC stands divided over DA
'It's an equal partner and can't be kicked out of GNU.' President Cyril Ramaphosa hosts a working dinner with leaders of political parties that are signatories to Government of National Unity (GNU) at Genadendal, Cape Town. Picture: GCIS The bloc within the ANC which is against the DA presence in the government of national unity (GNU) is getting larger due to the influence of Deputy President Paul Mashatile's campaign to succeed President Cyril Ramaphosa, experts say. Growing calls from the ANC caucus for the DA to be kicked out of the GNU indicate renewed factionalism within the Ramaphosa-led camp… the sort of factionalism that has badly damaged the party it in the past. This is part of the jockeying for position by some leaders ahead of the party's 2027 elective national conference, one source said. Anti-DA chorus It's not surprising that the anti-DA chorus within the ANC is growing because it has been influenced by Mashatile's presidential campaign, said independent political analyst Goodenough Mashego. If the ANC succession tradition is strictly adhered to, Mashatile should succeed Ramaphosa. But many oppose Mashatile's rise to the top, citing allegations of graft. 'This is really a marker on the ground to say the ANC is moving into election mode and is turning into those who support and those who oppose the GNU [with DA].' ALSO READ: SA's coalition government is at risk of crumbling: Why collapse would carry a heavy cost ANC could lead the GNU without the DA The ANC caucus call spoke to the fact that the ANC had not explained the GNU sufficiently to all its members, Mashego said. Although the ANC could lead the GNU without the DA, the DA itself was not invited to the coalition like other parties, but came as an equal partner with the ANC. 'Therefore, the ANC cannot kick the DA out of the GNU,' Mashego said. Political analyst Khanyi Magubane said the ANC parliamentary caucus' reported call to the party's top brass to let the DA go and engage the small parties in the GNU is indicative of a centre that is not holding. The ANC should move away from factionalism because it has weakened the party, he warned. Previously, only the SACP and Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi publicly opposed the DA's presence in the coalition. DA acting as opposition party Now they have been joined by ANC parliamentarians fed up with the DA continually acting as the opposition party within the coalition. The advocates of the DA remaining in the GNU include the ANC Veterans League and big businesses, the real drivers of the process. The league and business detest any participation by Julius Malema's EFF and uMkhonto weSizwe party in the 10 party coalition. The Sunday Times reported on the revolt rocking the ANC, in which the caucus demanded that the ANC dump the DA in favour of the small parties. It cited Ramaphosa's statement that by opposing the budget, the DA had 'defined itself out of the GNU.' They were concerned about the DA undermining the GNU and the ANC, among other things. The DA, along with the EFF, successfully took the government to court to stop the implementation of the 0.5%-percentage point hike in value-added tax. ALSO READ: GNU built on shaky ground, experts say Employment Equity Act The DA is currently taking the government to court to seek a ruling that would reverse the Employment Equity Act, legislation meant to bring about equity in the workplace and address imbalances of apartheid. The employment equity issue potential could derail the GNU itself, said political analyst Daniel Silke. 'It may survive in the short term but the big picture issues are going to derail the GNU over the next year or two.' 'If the caucus of the ANC is calling for the removal of the DA and the mother body is not, that is a clear indication that there is misalignment,' Magubane said. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula made critical remarks against the DA, including saying if they wish to leave, they are free to do so because the ANC would engage other parties, she said. Factional politics Despite these remarks, the party had not made a clear pronouncement that it was evicting the DA from the GNU. 'This could be factional politics at play.' Magubane referred to the defunct Zuma radical economic transformation faction and the Ramaphosa group, then called Thuma Mina, that battled each other during the Zuma years that almost tore the ANC apart. The ANC should move away from factional politics, she said. 'They weaken the party, and its ability to speak in one voice. 'The bigger issue now is how does the ANC convince their constituents the centre is still holding if structures like the caucus are singing from a different hymn sheet?' NOW READ: GNU stumbles as VAT hike U-turn heightens ANC-DA tensions
News24
04-05-2025
- Politics
- News24
What's in City Press: Mbeki accused of being selfish
Dead constables: 'Foul play cannot be ruled out' A highway patrol officer has questioned why there was not a single call about the accident or any noticeable objects indicating a serious impact in line with the damage to the vehicle. ANC parliamentary caucus expresses strong anti-DA sentiment The party summoned all its deployees in Parliament to a meeting to discuss several issues ahead of their return after the recess. 'Exclude the rich and foreign nationals from RAF claims' – RAF CEO One of Collins Letsoalo's last wishes before he leaves his job as CEO of the Road Accident Fund (RAF) in October is to convince legislators to amend the RAF Agency Act to prevent foreign nationals and people who are "well off" from claiming from the fund. Mbeki slammed as 'selfish' in opposing a lawsuit seeking justice for apartheid-era crimes. Survivors and families of victims of apartheid-era atrocities have argued that former president Thabo Mbeki 's objection to their lawsuit was motivated by his quest to protect his legacy. SA's conflict zone foot soldiers see a small slice of the pie South African soldiers who had to fight on the frontlines in the Democratic Republic of Congo earned considerably less in special allowances than their countrymen who served in comfortable office positions. 'Parliament is our last hope to save Safa from going down' – White As the troubled Safa prepares to appear before the parliamentary portfolio committee on sports on Monday, a former vice president of the football association is hopeful that the committee will not spare the leadership any blushes. Rebecca Malope demands R1 m from P&G for 'unlawfully' using her image The legendary award-winning gospel singer-turned-designer, Rebecca Malope, is demanding more than R1 million from Procter and Gamble SA (P&G). Following a potpourri of results this season, Kaizer Chiefs' Nedbank Cup final clash against arch-rivals Orlando Pirates will answer the question: Is Nabi still the best man for the job? Jazz maestro Selaelo Selota faces SIU probe over Lotto cash South African jazz maestro Selaelo Selota is being investigated by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) for allegedly using funds from a National Lotteries Commission (NLC) grant to buy a luxury car. The 20-year-old was quieter in some parts of the game against Kaizer Chiefs, but he popped up just at the right moment to hand Bucs the winning goal that completed a league double over Amakhosi.
