Staff Reporter
The African National Congress's (ANC), National Executive Committee (NEC) has informed that the ANC will form a Government of National Unity (GNU) with some of the parties that participated in their recent elections, in order to move the country forward.
Speaking in a statement ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa said, political parties will be invited to form a GNU to tackle pressing issues affecting South Africans.
“We have therefore agreed that we will invite political parties to form a Government of National Unity as the best option to move our country forward. The modalities of the Government of National Unity will take into account the conditions prevailing at this moment in our country’s history.
“The purpose of this Government of National Unity must be first and foremost to tackle the pressing, issues that South Africans want to be addressed,” said Ramaphosa.
According to the IEC South African Electoral Commission, the final election results recorded ANC at 40.18%, the Democratic Alliance (DA) got 21.81%, uMkhonto weSizwe Party with 14.58% and the Economic Freedom Fighters also with 9.52%.
Ramaphosa further revealed that the ANC has held dialogues with a few political parties before engaging with its alliance partners to brief and seek guidance.
“We have already held constructive discussions with the Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters, Inkatha Freedom Party, National Freedom Party and Patriotic Alliance. We have also engaged with our Alliance partners to brief them on the process and will continue to seek their invaluable views and guidance.
“The ANC has entered these discussions with an open mind and a commitment to speak to All parties that have a stated intention to advance the interests of the people,” he said.
Furthermore, Ramaphosa highlighted that agreements would be in writing and all the parties have common shared values like accountability, transparency, integrity, community participation and good governance.
“All partners must commit to shared values, nation-building and social cohesion. These values include respect for the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the rule of law, social justice and equity, human dignity, non-racialism and non-sexism.
“These values also include stability, accountability, transparency, integrity, community participation and good governance. Agreements between parties should be in writing. They should be public, transparent and include measures for holding parties accountable,” added Ramaphosa.
A coalition government can foster inclusivity and national reconciliation by bringing together various political parties and factions, potentially reducing political polarization and promote stability. This GNU could provide the ANC with an opportunity to collaborate with other parties on key policy initiatives, enabling them to draw on diverse perspectives and expertise to address pressing national challenges. Additionally, the ANC take time during this period to re-mobilise its base and re-strategise its ideas in preparation for 2029.
