Tensions in the Government of National Unity escalate as the ANC demands compliance from the DA, raising questions about coalition stability and the future of Ramaphosa’s leadership.
ANC Ultimatum: South Africa’s fragile post-election coalition is entering turbulent waters. The African National Congress (ANC), led by Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, has issued what many are interpreting as an ultimatum to the Democratic Alliance (DA)—either conform to ANC leadership within the Government of National Unity (GNU) or step aside.
This stern message follows weeks of growing unease between the two primary GNU partners, amplified by the DA’s rejection of the national budget and fiscal framework in Parliament. Now, political analyst Professor Andre Duvenage says the ANC is tightening the screws to reshape the GNU—and possibly the country’s entire political trajectory.
GNU Reset: Friction Turns into Fire
The ANC’s National Working Committee meeting this week marked a turning point. Speaking to the media, Mbalula expressed deep frustration at what he described as the DA’s “double-dealings,” citing the party’s inconsistent support for critical government decisions.
“We have agreed to reset the button to ensure that the GNU going forward is governed by rules—not just the statement of intent,” Mbalula said, referring to the original agreement signed in the wake of the 2024 national elections.
He went further, stating that the ANC would now be engaging both GNU and non-GNU parties to develop a “fresh working relationship,” a move widely seen as a signal that the ruling party is prepared to move forward without the DA.
DA’s Response: Unapologetically Firm
Despite mounting pressure, the DA has made it clear they’re not walking away from the GNU without a fight.
National spokesperson Willie Aucamp defended the DA’s budget stance, arguing that their participation in the GNU was always premised on economic reform, transparency, and growth—not blind loyalty.
“The ANC needs to accept that they must share power and collaborate on meaningful reforms,” said Aucamp. “We joined the GNU to rebuild South Africa—not to rubber-stamp ANC policy.”
Aucamp also emphasized the terms of the GNU’s expansion clause, warning against unilateral decisions by the ANC to bring in new parties without broader consensus. This was a thinly veiled critique of ActionSA, whose parliamentary voting behaviour has recently drawn the DA’s ire.
Analyst Duvenage: A Strategic Squeeze on the DA
Political analyst Prof. Andre Duvenage offered a blunt assessment: the ANC is intentionally closing off the DA’s space to manoeuvre.
“A good political strategy gives your opponent no room to operate. The ANC is telling the DA: either follow our leadership or walk out,” Duvenage told The Citizen.
He stressed that while the ANC may not want to be seen as actively firing the DA, they’re certainly making it difficult for the party to remain in the GNU without capitulating to ANC terms.
“The rules are going to be defined by the ANC, and the DA will have to play by those rules—or find themselves pushed out by circumstance,” he added.
Ramaphosa Under Pressure: The Balancing Act
The implications of this growing rift reach all the way to the Union Buildings. President Cyril Ramaphosa is under enormous pressure to hold the GNU together—not just from within his party, but from the business community and international stakeholders watching South Africa’s economic stability.
According to Duvenage, Ramaphosa faces a dual challenge: managing factionalism within the ANC and stabilizing a coalition government that is visibly fraying.
“There’s huge economic pressure on Ramaphosa to maintain unity. But there’s also internal rebellion brewing. He’s walking a tightrope,” Duvenage explained.
He believes that if the GNU unravels—particularly without key players like the DA or Freedom Front Plus—it may lose its credibility as a genuine unity government.
A Coalition at a Crossroads
The ANC’s move is not just a political nudge—it’s a strategic recalibration. The message is clear: fall in line or fall away. With Mbalula seeking to codify the GNU’s operations and the DA bracing for confrontation, the coming weeks could redefine coalition politics in South Africa.
“If the DA does not comply, the ANC will form a new majority by aligning with other parties, leaving the DA on the sidelines,” Duvenage warned.
The stakes are enormous. With local and global economic pressures mounting and public confidence in governance already on shaky ground, South Africa’s coalition experiment is approaching a make-or-break moment.
Tense Days Ahead
As South Africans watch the latest chapter in GNU politics unfold, one thing is certain: the honeymoon phase is over. The DA must now decide whether to bend to the ANC’s expectations or brace for political isolation. Either way, the foundations of the seventh administration are shifting—and the aftershocks may be felt for years to come.
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