Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
7 April 2025 | 15:30 CAT
3 min read

As political tensions rise and public speculation mounts over the future of South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU), Professor John Ntshaupe Molepo, associate professor of public affairs at the Tshwane University of Technology, believes that despite the drama unfolding, the GNU may survive—though not without change.

Speaking to Radio Islam International on Monday morning, Prof Molepo explained: “Capital had influence on the outlook of the elections of South Africa and the composition of what you call the Parliament and the executive structures of government. Capital does not want GNU to fall.”

This comes after the Democratic Alliance (DA) voted against the government’s national budget and signalled its dissatisfaction with the African National Congress (ANC), even taking legal steps to challenge decisions taken within the GNU framework. This move has sparked talk that the ANC may expel the DA from the coalition.

However, Molepo believes both the ANC and the DA still have much to gain from the coalition. “Even among the ANC, the faction of Cyril Ramaphosa does not want the GNU to pay. And also you have the DA, half of the DA, especially those who have been deployed, they still want to form part of the GNU,” he said.

Molepo does not believe that we are likely to see the death of the GNU, but it depends on the extent to which the DA is also behaving or approaching issues. “The ANC, where it comes from, is caught in between, because like it or not, Cyril Ramaphosa is the president, who is also a captain,” he added.

Molepo was critical of the DA’s conduct, particularly their approach to decision-making. “They behave as if they are in opposition. The DA is behaving as if they are outside of the formal structures of government,” he said.

He also referenced multiple moments of discord, including the DA’s position on the cabinet composition, the Expropriation Bill, and the recent international trip to the UK and the United States. “That trip that they took undermines the principle of GNU, particularly on the stance of international relations,” Molepo said.

He stressed that the DA’s continued antagonism could force the ANC to reconsider its partners in government. “We see reshuffling and adding new partners to the GNU. But also, the ANC—who will be those particular partners? Will they work with the EFF, MK, or what?” he questioned.

Referring to what the public should expect next, Molepo stated: “The ANC is yet to sit and decide what will happen. But capital has already penned a letter that they must work together and see how best they can resolve this issue.”

He suggests that should anything happen, it will be the internal factions of the ANC trying to push for the failure of the GNU.

Despite growing instability, Molepo is not convinced that the end is near. “Each and every political party contests for power. And being in that particular government, you are close to resources. You are close to power,” he said.

He doubts the DA truly wants out. “They are enjoying the blue light. They are enjoying the control on many other issues. So I do not think even some of them want to go away from the GNU,” she said.

He cautioned that the ANC cannot tolerate the DA’s double-sided approach for much longer. “If the DA continues to put the ANC within their GNU, I think the ANC will look for new partners. And that should be the last resort,” he added.

Molepo believes that for the GNU to work, there must be deeper cooperation. “There must be a mechanism, a framework. There must also be a consensus and continuous ways on which these partners are able to reflect on their differences,” she said.

He stressed the importance of engagement and unity within the GNU, saying, “You cannot form part of the general government, and then when you go to Parliament, you decide to vote against the budget. Where else you were privy, and you were part of the Cabinet, and you were informed about these particular issues,” he said.

With pressure mounting and decisions looming, it remains to be seen whether the GNU will survive intact or evolve into a new configuration. For now, as Prof Molepo suggests, “Let us still appreciate that the GNU will continue.”

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat and Professor John Ntshaupe Molepo, here.