Ramaphosa tells ANC he is tired of the DA as coalition talks start

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reportedly expressed his growing frustration with the Democratic Alliance (DA), telling members of the African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) that he is tired of the party’s conduct. His reported remarks follow continued disagreements over government policies and the DA’s frequent decisions to challenge ANC-led government actions in court.

Ramaphosa is said to have made his feelings known during the ANC’s NEC meeting held this week in Boksburg. The reported comments come at a sensitive time, as the ANC and DA prepare for formal coalition negotiations scheduled for Sunday, 15 November 2026.

The discussions are aimed at establishing governing arrangements in municipalities following the recent local government elections, which left several councils without an outright majority. The ANC failed to secure a clear majority in any of the country’s eight metropolitan municipalities, forcing the party to consider partnerships with other political organisations to govern.

According to ANC insiders who attended the NEC meeting, Ramaphosa supports the position that the party should avoid entering into municipal coalition agreements with the DA wherever possible. Some party leaders reportedly believe that the relationship has become difficult to defend to ANC supporters and has not delivered the political benefits they expected.

DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has also reportedly become a source of irritation for the president. An ANC insider claimed that Hill-Lewis attempted to communicate directly with Ramaphosa instead of following the party’s established communication structures through Luthuli House.

Following the elections, Ramaphosa allegedly failed to respond to some of Hill-Lewis’s requests for meetings. The president is said to have made it clear that discussions involving the ANC should be handled through the party’s official leadership structures rather than through direct approaches to him.

Hill-Lewis reportedly caused further frustration among ANC leaders when he told journalists that he hoped Ramaphosa would become more actively involved in the coalition negotiations.

Meanwhile, ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu has confirmed that the party is proceeding with formal discussions involving all political organisations that secured seats in municipalities. She explained that the negotiations are being coordinated by the ANC’s national team under the leadership of secretary-general Fikile Mbalula.

Bhengu also confirmed that the planned engagement with the DA would take place despite the disagreements between the two political organisations.

The growing tension comes against the background of an already complicated relationship within the Government of National Unity (GNU), established after the 2024 national elections. Since joining the arrangement, the ANC and DA have repeatedly disagreed over important policy decisions and the direction of government.

Some ANC members have consequently started calling for a review of the national partnership, raising questions about how long the two parties can continue working together.

Sunday’s coalition discussions could therefore become an important test of their relationship. Failure to reach agreements in key metropolitan municipalities could create further uncertainty and increase the possibility of unstable coalition governments.

Although the ANC maintains that it is willing to negotiate with all parties, reports from the NEC meeting suggest that sections of its leadership would prefer to explore alternative coalition partners rather than continue relying on the DA.

https://x.com/ZANewsFlash/status/2121920757483638981?a=OCwTu2g76h4Qnurd-gk&s=19

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