ANC Makes Big Move to Dump DA as Thursday Meeting Could Change South Africa’s Politics

The political future of South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) is facing renewed uncertainty following reports that the ANC president has called on party leaders to explore possible options without the Democratic Alliance (DA).

The call was reportedly made during Monday’s National Working Committee (NWC) meeting, where discussions centred on the ANC’s relationship with its coalition partners and the direction the party should take going forward.

The development is gaining momentum ahead of Thursday’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which could become an important moment in determining the future of the GNU.

The ANC and DA entered into a power-sharing arrangement after the 2024 general elections left the ANC without an outright parliamentary majority for the first time since the end of apartheid. The agreement brought together parties with significantly different political positions and policy priorities.

Since then, tensions have occasionally emerged between the two major parties over economic policies, governance, political appointments and the direction of government.

The ANC leadership now appears to be considering whether the current arrangement remains the best option for the party or whether alternative political partnerships should be explored.

One of the options reportedly gaining support in Gauteng is a possible partnership with ActionSA across Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni. Provincial leaders are said to favour working with ActionSA rather than relying on the DA, although the final decision remains with the national leadership.

Johannesburg is particularly important because the DA emerged as the largest party in the recent local government elections, securing 34.79% of the vote. The ANC received 20.25%, while ActionSA obtained 16.27%. These results leave the political parties needing cooperation to establish a governing majority.

However, the ANC’s leadership is not entirely united on the question of working with the DA. Some members believe cooperation could provide stability, while others favour exploring alternative arrangements.

The ANC is also considering the possibility of remaining in opposition or entering confidence-and-supply agreements where full coalition arrangements are not suitable.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has described the party’s election performance as catastrophic, acknowledging that voters have delivered a serious message to the organisation.

Meanwhile, ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu has indicated that the NEC is the body responsible for making the final decision on coalition arrangements.

Thursday meeting is therefore expected to provide important direction on how the ANC approaches negotiations with other political parties.

For now, the possibility of an ANC-led arrangement without the DA is gaining attention, but no final agreement has been announced.

The coming days could prove decisive for political developments in Johannesburg and other major Gauteng municipalities.

Source:https://x.com/TimesLIVE/status/2120352562083725668?a=OKISanBOnkNfsj3gbSw&s=19

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