ActionSA will not consider joining the GNU – Mashaba

ActionSA would only consider joining the Government of National Unity (GNU) if it collapses, party leader Herman Mashaba told Newsday. 

“We would compromise ourselves by joining, because they would take away our independence.”

Following a meeting with the National Executive Committee on August 5, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the government may look to expand the GNU.

He said that they would engage with other parties that support the objectives set out in the GNU statement of intent.

Mashaba said that if approached, ActionSA would not consider joining the GNU in its current form, labeling it a government that is not representative of the aspirations of South Africans. 

The ActionSA leader said that continued participation of many parties in the GNU “confirms that they are supportive of ANC corruption.”

“The ANC is able to continue as if they hold a two-thirds majority, and the DA is unable to hold them accountable. They keep on threatening, but they will never actually leave the GNU.”

He added that he believes that the GNU is just a reiteration of old ANC policies. “Over a year into existence, show me one policy that the GNU has come up with.”

He said that ActionSA has insisted on reducing the president’s power, saying that the president of a coalition government should not have the power to choose ministers without consulting coalition partners. 

Additionally, the party wants to cut the country’s large Cabinet in half.

“Come and talk to us if the government collapses. We’ve already given our terms and unfortunately, some of these are too scary for the ANC,” Mashaba said.

‘Show me a good policy from the GNU,’ says Mashaba

The GNU was formed following the 2024 elections, when the ANC lost its majority in parliament. 

It consists of the ANC, the DA, Patriotic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, Good Party, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, Freedom Front Plus, United Democratic Movement, Al Jama-ah, and Rise Mzansi. 

Together, they make up 287 out of the 400 seats in the National Assembly.

Although invited, ActionSA chose not to be part of the GNU. The party said its most effective role in the 7th parliament would be that of constructive opposition. 

The coalition government has faced its fair share of challenges since coming into power last year, such as disagreements surrounding the national budget. 

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana was forced to table the national budget three times before it was passed in June. The conflict between parties was caused by the ANC’s proposed 2% VAT increase. 

The DA refused to vote along coalition lines, with the ANC relying on ActionSA and other oppostioon parties to get over the line.

More recently, the GNU is facing criticism over the upcoming National Dialogue, with several organisations and parties, including the DA, withdrawing from the convention.

The proposed expansion of the GNU is seen to be a move to lessen the ANC’s reliance on the DA for a majority vote in Parliament.

DA leader John Steenhuisen said in a press briefing that he does not believe expanding the GNU will be a worthwhile exercise. 

“I think it is going to complicate things even further. We already have 10 parties in the GNU, it’s one of the largest coalitions in the world,” he said.