Deputy President Paul Mashatile has given the Government of National Unity (GNU) a strong performance rating and praised its progress despite internal challenges.
Mashatile was addressing the media on the sidelines of the Harambee Youth Engagement event in Johannesburg on Friday.
He admitted that there were challenges in the GNU but expressed confidence that they would continue working for the people.
“We are working very well. One year in office, we have had some challenges, but we are confident that we will proceed properly going forward,” he said.
Mashatile suggested a rating of ‘8/10’ for the GNU’s performance, indicating a positive view of their progress.
His remarks come as South Africa marks the first anniversary of the GNU’s formation.
The GNU was formed in June 2024 following the May 2024 national and provincial elections. This resulted in a hung parliament.
On June 14, 2024, the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) signed a Statement of Intent, marking the formal establishment of the GNU and the appointment of the new cabinet.
According to the first deputy secretary-general, Nomvula Mokonyane, in the past year, the DA has been behaving like a crybaby in the GNU, as the party expressed dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the GNU.
The DA has taken the ANC to court several times over the past year in a bid to stop it from implementing the laws that would allow transformation in the country.
Among others, were the signing of the Expropriation Act, the BELA Act and the National Health Insurance (NHI).
The recent incident involved the DA’s legal action against ANC MP and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana regarding the 2025 national budget. Following this, ANC members urged Ramaphosa to respond to the DA’s failure to support the passage of the 2025 national budget.
Apart from demanding top positions, the DA also wanted its voice heard in the GNU, which led to the ANC considering taking action against the DA’s behaviour in government.
However, the ANC announced a plan to reassess the GNU’s structure and open talks to other parties to join.
To review the GNU performance, ActionSA has launched a series of engagements to mark this milestone by listening to the lived experiences of South Africans from all walks of life.
This week, ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba met with small business owners in Dobsonville, Soweto, to hear first-hand accounts of their realities under the GNU.
These entrepreneurs were promised a government focused on economic growth and support for small enterprises.
“Yet, a year later, their testimonies paint a different picture. Instead of progress, many describe continued stagnation, a harsh operating environment, and the absence of tangible support from the government,” the party said in a statement.
Politics
