As talks for the Government of National Unity (GNU) are underway egos are beginning to clash. President Cyril Ramaphosa has to strike a delicate balance to satisfy all parties, while the Democratic Alliance (DA) is pressing for at least ten of its MPs to be appointed to key ministerial portfolios and naming their leader John Steenhuisen as deputy president in the GNU. All this sounds like the former official opposition is biting off more than they can chew but the DA insists it is the usual practice for coalition governments worldwide.
Initially expected to announce his cabinet on Sunday following his inauguration at the Union Buildings in Pretoria last week, Ramaphosa’s plans have been delayed due to the DA’s demands. Negotiations between the African National Congress (ANC) and the DA have stalled, with the ANC offering only three Cabinet posts to the DA, while the latter insists on at least 10 out of the 30 available positions. It was reported that the DA’s negotiating team adopted a hardline stance, on Saturday, shifted from the previous position that Paul Mashatile would remain deputy president, insisting instead that Steenhuisen be appointed to the role. “The ANC told us they were entitled to the positions of president and speaker because they are the largest minority party in the GNU,” a DA insider said. (Arise)
“By the same logic, the DA must get the position of deputy president for our leader, because we are the second-largest party. This is the norm in coalition government the world over.”(Arise)
The times are changing, but if the DA does not apply caution to what it is pressing for, the party could see itself in a long-protracted battle with the ANC over the cabinet posts. Asking that the DA be given ten ministerial portfolios would be pure arrogance while asking for five or six should suffice. They can then ask for some deputy ministerial positions to have influence in the other departments. The DA under Steenhuisen is taking a huge gamble asking that Paul Mashatile be removed as Deputy President. There could be two deputy presidents in the coalition: Steenhuisen and Mashatile, or maybe Steenhuisen could be Minister in the Presidency. This is a very powerful position. If the DA doesn’t scale back on the demands it has put forward, Ramaphosa may have to dissolve parliament and call for new elections.
The DA needs to utilise the little intelligence it has and realize they are only in the coalition by the default of being the second largest party as a result of having relied on a racial minority vote. There is still a great deal of mistrust in the country between black and white.
However, the ANC has deemed the DA’s demands unacceptable. According to the Sunday Times, a top ANC leader noted, “the Cabinet pie was getting smaller with more parties in parliament, such as the UDM, Patriotic Alliance, the PAC, Rise Mzansi, and the FF+ having joined the GNU, after some of them initially snubbed it.” Facing the deadlock, the DA considered withdrawing from the GNU, but decided to keep communication lines open, with negotiations, expected to continue on Sunday. The DA aims to manage several portfolios, including: Communications and digital technology, Trade and industry, Transport, Public Service and administration, Water and Sanitation, local government, health.(Arise)
The DA may be the second largest party in the coalition, but it should learn to share. The party cannot demand so many portfolios and expect Ramaphosa to serve them on a silver platter. They should accept there are other parties in the negotiation for the GNU that are jostling for positions. There is no I or U in team. The formation of the GNU should be about reflecting what the voters expect. Even if some of the lesser parties like the Patriotic Alliance (PA) are somewhat unorthodox in the political arena. Ministerial portfolios should be handed out on merit. The DA can’t have it all, it has to play by the rules.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday ongoing wrangling over power sharing and positions should not be allowed to derail the formation of a Government of National Unity (GNU). In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa urged partners in the new 10-party coalition to show their commitment to the process and to the country. “South Africans are watching. We should not waste our energies on those who stand in the way of the country’s progress or lose momentum over differences that can be resolved,” he wrote. The call came amid an impasse in talks between ANC and the Democratic Alliance (DA) over the allocation of cabinet portfolios in Ramaphosa’s cabinet.(Mail & Guardian)
Ramaphosa is right. South Africans are watching. The country, as well as the southern African region is. And they are not amused or impressed by the DA’s increasing demands. The party needs to scale back on its high demands and take a good hard look at itself. A GNU is meant to be inclusive of all participating parties. The DA and Steenhuisen need to coincide some ground to the other political groups. If the DA does not take a step back from its un-appeaseable demands, then it could derail the negotiations. With out the support of the DA, in the GNU Ramaphosa could be compelled to dissolve Parliament and call for new elections. The rest of the country will be watching the GNU’s moves.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
