‘We’re not here to save the ANC’ - DA sharpens its stance in GNU
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen's says the GNU has experienced ups and downs since its formation.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane Independent Newspapers
Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen has admitted that the Government of National Unity (GNU) has experienced a “tough” first year, but said progress is being made and many priorities are on track.
“Yes, it’s been a tough year - a year of many ups and downs, but I think the GNU has survived a year. Many people never thought it would last more than a few months, yet here we are,” Steenhuisen said.
He was speaking in Hanover Park, Cape Town, where the DA celebrated its 25th anniversary since its formation.
The GNU, formed following the May 2024 general elections, came after the African National Congress (ANC) failed to secure a majority for the first time since the advent of democracy in 1994.
The coalition includes the ANC, the DA, Freedom Front Plus and several smaller parties, some of whom were former rivals.
However, the unity government has been marred by internal tensions, particularly over policy implementation, leadership disputes, and allegations of corruption and a lack of accountability.
The DA, which is the second-largest party in the GNU, has clashed with its partners on multiple legislative fronts.
It has challenged the Expropriation Without Compensation Act and the Employment Equity Amendment Act in court.
In April, the party successfully contested the passage of the fiscal framework in Parliament, a bill the ANC pushed through with support from non-GNU parties such as ActionSA and Build One South Africa (BOSA).
Steenhuisen, who is also the Minister of Agriculture, said the GNU has faced numerous political tests, including disputes over a controversial 0.2% increase in VAT.
“We have been battle-tested in the VAT debate. We now have a budget that will be passed this week,” he said.
“We’ve got a medium-term development plan that has been passed. We have a fiscal framework, I think we are well on track.”
Despite tensions, Steenhuisen emphasised that the coalition must deliver on its promises to the public.
“I think the GNU has to accelerate at a whop speed our initiatives to grow the economy,” he said.
GNU leaders had pledged to address these issues, but have so far made limited progress.
“The GDP growth for the first quarter this year is not a good story,” Steenhuisen said.
“We’ve got to do far more - and far quicker, to stimulate the economy and drive the reforms needed to lift South Africa off its current trajectory of high debt and unemployment.”
With the 2029 general election on the distant horizon, Steenhuisen said the GNU has four years left to prove itself.
“We cannot wait any longer. The GNU must show South Africans why they should back the builders, not the breakers,” he said.
“And we can only do that if we demonstrate to citizens that we’ve grown the economy, created jobs, reduced poverty, and lowered the cost of living - the issues that really affect ordinary people on the ground.”
IOL News previously reported that political analyst, Professor Sipho Seepe questioned the DA’s motives in the coalition.
“DA federal chair Helen Zille has been very clear that she didn’t join the GNU to save the ANC. She’s only there to keep Ramaphosa in power because he serves the interests of certain elites,” he said.
“You can't have a coalition where one party has publicly vowed to destroy another. That’s not a partnership, that’s sabotage...”
Seepe added that the DA is pursuing its own policy direction and will continue opposing key ANC legislative efforts, including NHI and the BELA Bill.
“The DA is not in the GNU to help. They’re in it to advance their own goals.”
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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