ANC eyes expanding the GNU

The African National Congress (ANC) is set to expand the ten-party government of national unity (GNU) after a severe budget crisis nearly brought Parliament to a halt.

Over the past weekend, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ANC, the party’s highest decision-making body, resolved to expand the coalition bloc.

“We have agreed to engage with parties that are willing to play a constructive role… so we can achieve our three strategic priorities, namely: driving inclusive growth and job creation; reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living; and building a capable developmental state.”

“In line with the statement of intent, we will first begin our engagements with the parties currently who are part of the GNU with regard to seeing the extent to which we can expand,” said ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa.

This is to “advance the GNU with other parties that see themselves supporting the objectives we set out in the statement of intent,” he added.

The ANC and Democratic Alliance (DA) make up 85% of the composition of the GNU, but their unhappy marriage has been marked by deep policy and ideological divisions, increasingly straining the coalition.

Tensions came to a head during the 2025 budget process, when the DA opposed the ANC’s proposed VAT increase, prompting the ANC to seek support from parties outside the GNU to get the bills over the line.

After negotiations failed, the DA voted against the fiscal framework and took the matter to court, accusing the ANC of procedural violations.

The situation worsened when Ramaphosa fired DA Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield over an unauthorised trip to the US. The DA claimed the dismissal was politically motivated

It demanded the removal of ANC ministers facing misconduct allegations and temporarily withdrew from national dialogue, voting against budget allocations tied to those individuals.

The DA claimed the ANC undermines the GNU by acting unilaterally, such Ramaphosa signing contentious bills without consultation or appointing a bloated cabinet to favor ANC influence.

Meanwhile the ANC accused the DA of “double-dealing” and frustrating the GNU by opposing key policies and resorting to court challenges, like over the budget vote’s procedural flaws.

The standoff threatened the coalition’s stability, but after weeks of pressure, Ramaphosa removed one implicated minister.

The DA then backed the 2025 Appropriation Bill, temporarily easing tensions but leaving the unity government on uncertain ground.

We learnt a lot from the budget, says Ramaphosa

“The budget process has taught us many lessons, including being able to build tactical and issue-based voting alliances with other parties,” said Ramaphosa.

“We welcome the cooperation on the Budget, including with parties that are not part of the GNU” he added.

Parties from outside the GNU that helped the ANC get over the line in the early stages of the budget process include that of ActionSA, the National Coloured Congress (NCC) and Build One South Africa (BOSA) – fierce opponents of the DA.

The DA is expected to oppose the decision, having previously clashed with the ANC over its outreach to Herman Mashaba’s ActionSA and Mmusi Maimane’s Bosa during budget talks, both former high-ranking DA officials.

At the time, the DA federal council chair Helen Zille accused the ANC of violating the statement of intent, which serves as the founding document and de facto constitution of the GNU.

The Economic Freedom Fighters has long said that it would never be part of a coalition with the DA and Freedom Front Plus, while Jacob Zuma’s MK Party wants Ramaphosa to resign.

Reactions to Ramaphosa’s announcement

ActionSA chairperson Michael Beaumont said that “while we would not want to speculate on engagements that have not happened, should such an engagement transpire, ActionSA’s considerations will be based on whether our involvement will bring about the much-needed reforms.”

NCC leader Fadiel Adams said they had made it clear a year ago they would join a GNU without the DA, accusing the party of regressive policies.

He added, “the GNU in its current form is a dead horse… perhaps an injection of new blood is needed.”

Maimane said any talks with the ANC would depend on the GNU’s reform agenda. He cautioned against joining the GNU without clarity on its direction, saying it would be a mistake to board a bus without knowing its destination.

He emphasised that Bosa’s priority is economic reform, adding that if the party were to take up a ministry, it must deliver tangible economic benefits for South Africans.

Newsday could not get a response from the DA.

An unhappy marriage

Neither the ANC nor the DA wants to leave due to the risks of electoral punishment, economic instability, and loss of influence.

The ANC avoids expelling the DA to maintain coalition legitimacy and investor confidence, while the DA stays to avoid ceding power to more radical parties and to prove its governance credentials.

Additionally, some in the ANC have argued to keep the DA within the GNU, fearing a possible motion of no confidence.

Without the DA’s 21% the ANC would be vulnerable to attacks in parliament should it choose to form a government with minority parties.

Both are locked in a “toxic marriage,” as described by the BBC, where public bickering continues, but divorce is avoided to protect their respective interests and South Africa’s fragile stability.