JOHANNESBURG – African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has reassured the public and political stakeholders that the Government of National Unity (GNU) will remain stable and operational — even if the Democratic Alliance (DA) decides to withdraw from the multi-party coalition.
Speaking at a regional elective conference in the Eastern Cape on Sunday, Mbalula addressed mounting tensions within the GNU, which have been exacerbated by the recent dismissal of DA member Andrew Whitfield from his post as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.
Whitfield was removed by President Cyril Ramaphosa after he reportedly embarked on an international trip without proper authorization — an act the presidency deemed a violation of protocol. The DA has since expressed deep dissatisfaction with the move and announced that while it will remain in the GNU for now, it will withdraw from the National Dialogue, a key consultative mechanism in the unity government.
Mbalula Says GNU Can Survive Without DA
In a strong statement aimed at reinforcing the resilience of the GNU, Mbalula said the withdrawal of the DA — or any single party — would not bring about the collapse of the coalition.
“Even if the DA walks away, the GNU will not collapse,” Mbalula said. “Several parties are eager to join and are already knocking on the door. The GNU is simply too powerful to fall apart.”
He accused the DA of creating a narrative that paints them as victims, while positioning themselves to potentially exit the GNU under the guise of defending democratic principles. Mbalula insisted that the ANC remains committed to the GNU’s mission of inclusive governance and national stability.
Following the dismissal of Andrew Whitfield, the DA was quick to denounce the move, calling it politically motivated and retaliatory. The party suggested that it may even consider tabling a motion of no-confidence against President Cyril Ramaphosa, signaling a deepening rift between the two largest parties in the coalition.
DA leaders have demanded greater clarity on the framework guiding decision-making within the GNU, particularly regarding ministerial appointments and dismissals. The party claims the firing of Whitfield undermines the spirit of collaboration that the unity government was meant to foster.
In an official statement, the DA questioned whether the ANC still values the principles upon which the GNU was built and asked the ANC to clarify whether it wants the DA as a partner or prefers the return of opposition politics.
Mbalula responded to these criticisms by emphasizing that the GNU must not be hijacked by any single party’s agenda. He stressed that all member parties should operate within the agreed framework, which includes respecting the decisions of the president and adhering to established government protocols.
“The GNU is not about any one party’s interests. It’s about national consensus and responsible governance,” Mbalula said. “Decisions cannot be taken unilaterally, and they certainly cannot be defied without consequences.”
He further stated that other parties within the coalition — such as the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), GOOD, and several smaller formations — remain committed to the unity project and are actively contributing to national development discussions.
The current tensions represent just one of several internal conflicts that have plagued the GNU since its formation a year ago. Though initially celebrated as a groundbreaking model for inclusive governance, the unity government has encountered challenges in balancing the interests and ideologies of its diverse members.
Policy disagreements, power-sharing tensions, and public disputes over accountability have tested the GNU’s durability. However, according to Mbalula, these are growing pains that come with building a new form of governance in a country still grappling with the legacies of division.
“We knew from the start that this would not be easy. But unity requires effort, patience, and compromise,” he said. “We’re committed to that, even if others are not.”
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the fate of the GNU remains uncertain. Should the DA decide to exit the coalition, it could trigger a significant shift in parliamentary dynamics. However, Mbalula remains confident that the ANC, alongside other willing partners, will sustain the government and deliver on its mandate to the people of South Africa.
Political analysts suggest that the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the GNU can survive its internal disputes or if the country will return to more traditional party-based governance models.
For now, Mbalula’s message is clear: the ANC is not intimidated by ultimatums and will continue leading with or without the DA at the table.
Source- EWN