African National Congress (ANC) Deputy President Paul Mashatile has reaffirmed that the party's National Working Committee (NWC) will convene on Monday to chart the way forward amid rising tensions within the Government of National Unity (GNU).
Speaking in Khayelitsha, where he delivered the annual Solomon Mahlangu lecture, Mashatile stressed the importance of unity among GNU partners, expressing concern over recent disagreements—particularly surrounding support for the national budget.
“We expect all parties in the GNU to adhere to the agreed statement of intent. The Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus have declared themselves part of the GNU, but have now indicated they won’t support the national budget,” said Mashatile. “A government without a budget simply cannot function. We’ll deliberate on this at the NWC meeting and consult other GNU leaders—they are not bystanders, they must be central to the process. We won’t be engaging in isolated bilaterals with the DA.”
Mashatile's remarks come as internal rifts threaten to undermine the unity and effectiveness of the GNU, formed to bring political stability and economic recovery following the 2024 national elections.
Meanwhile, DA leader John Steenhuisen, speaking at a media briefing in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday, defended his party's position. He said the DA had joined the GNU to actively shape South Africa’s future, not to sit on the sidelines.
“We are committed to true power-sharing, to collaborating with GNU partners in a way that stimulates economic growth and job creation,” Steenhuisen said, reinforcing the DA’s call for more balanced decision-making within the coalition.
However, political analyst Lumkile Mondi has warned that infighting within the GNU could seriously hamper economic progress.
“The purpose of the GNU was to create a growing, inclusive economy and build a capable state. While disagreements are understandable, they must not derail the broader mission. If we fail to work together, we risk deepening our economic woes and losing the trust of South Africans,” Mondi said.
As the ANC’s NWC meets to reassess its GNU strategy, all eyes will be on how the coalition navigates the balancing act of cooperation, power-sharing, and governance in a politically fractured landscape.