SOUTH AFRICA’S GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY (THE GNU)

symbolising the sentiments underpinning South Africa's government of national unity (the GNU)

Negotiations on the principles to underpin a government of national unity (GNU) began soon after the results of South Africa’s seventh democratic general election were announced on 2 June 2024. For the first time since 1994 – when it became South Africa’s ruling party – the African National Congress (ANC) had won less than half the seats in Parliament’s National Assembly. An ANC media statement at the time assured ‘the people of South Africa’ that their ‘concerns …, frustrations … and dissatisfaction’ had been heard – committing the party to forming a government reflecting ‘the will of the people’.

Having retained its position as South Africa’s leading opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA) appears to have been the ANC’s first port of call in the GNU negotiations process. Talks between these two parties culminated in a founding statement of intent (politicsweb) signed on 14 June 2024. No copy of the statement reflecting the signatures of both party representatives has ever been made public. However, separate press releases announcing the move are provided below:

• ANC press release

• DA press release

On 22 June 2024, the ANC issued a media statement welcoming eight more parties to the GNU – and eight days later, newly inaugurated President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his new executive, which includes deputy ministers* who are nevertheless not members of the Cabinet* itself. Ramaphosa is now serving his second full term as President.

*these lists reflect changes that have since been made (one deputy minister and a minister having been fired, and the Cabinet having been reshuffled)

see next post for GNU HICCUPS