Views: 4
The ANC go into a COALITION GOVERNMENT and form a government of national unity (GNU) with all parties advancing South Africa, ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday.
“We have agreed that we will invite political parties to form a government of national unity as the best option to move our country forward,” Ramaphosa said.
“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.”
These included job creation and inclusive economic growth, the high cost of living, service delivery, crime and corruption.
The decision comes hours after the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) had been locked in the talks over the COALITION GOVERNMENT and other issues.
The ANC failed to win the majority during the 2024 national and provincial elections. South Africans cast their votes on May 29, in a bid to have a new government that will address their concerns.
On Thursday, Ramaphosa said the party has heard the concerns of the people of South Africa.
“We have also heard their frustrations and recognise their aspirations,” he said, adding that the ANC remained a pivotal partner in the country’s search for a way forward.
“There can be no solution in our country without the ANC…. That places a responsibility on the ANC to ensure that there is unity, stability, peace and progress in South Africa.”
He said the ANC had already engaged Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Democratic Alliance (DA), National Freedom Party (NFP), and the Patriotic Alliance
“There can be no solution in our country without the ANC…. That places a responsibility on the ANC to ensure that there is unity, stability, peace and progress in South Africa.”
He said the ANC had already engaged Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Democratic Alliance (DA), National Freedom Party (NFP), and the Patriotic Alliance
Ramaphosa said that from the results it was clear that South Africans expected leaders to work together to meet needs.
“They expect us to find common ground, to overcome our differences, and to act and work together for the good of everyone,” he said.
“We are committed to ensuring that a government of national unity has the means and the ability to build an inclusive economy, create jobs, end corruption, tackle crime and improve the provision of services,” Ramaphosa said.
“In establishing a government of national unity, we would be building on a rich history of cooperation across divides of politics and ideology. We would be drawing on an experience with which South Africans are familiar, and which served our country well at a time of great difficulty and division.”
The last few days has seen conjecture over the potential coalition that could be formed has been rife since the results were revealed.
To avoid the problem of who to collaborate with, the solution to the ANC was to form the GNU.
The DA also opposed the ANC’s marriage with MK Party and EFF alleging that it would somehow destabilise the business community, as their policies are based on taking land without compensation and nationalisation of mines.
If the ANC agreed to cooperate with the DA, SACP will convene a meeting to assess its ties with it.