Analysis: S.A Government of National Unity in Limbo!

(The Post News)- The Government of National Unity (GNU) refers to a political arrangement in which different political parties or factions come together to form a coalition government. In the context of South Africa, the GNU was established in 1994 after the country’s first democratic elections, which marked the end of apartheid.

The GNU was a strategic alliance between the African National Congress (ANC), the National Party (NP), and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). The purpose of the GNU was to promote national unity, rebuild the country, and address the socio-economic inequalities created by apartheid.

However, the GNU was dissolved in 1996 when the National Party withdrew from the alliance. Since then, the ANC has dominated the political landscape, winning successive elections and governing the country without a formal coalition partner.

In 2024, the GNU was formed after the African National Congress (ANC) failed to secure a majority in the general elections and invited other political parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Democratic Alliance (DA), and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), to form a coalition government.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the ANC’s decision to form a GNU, stating that it is the best option to develop the country and address the needs and expectations of all South Africans.

The GNU aims to promote national unity, rebuild the country, and address the social and economic inequalities created by apartheid.

The benefits of a GNU include compromise and accommodation among parties, leading to more moderate policies, but it also slows down decision-making.

The GNU may impact the country’s international relations and global standing, with the ANC’s stance on Palestine and Israel being a point of contention.

The business community has expressed hope that the GNU will bring stability to volatile financial markets and incentivize the South African Reserve Bank to cut interest rates.

The formation of the GNU has seen the rand surge to its best level in three weeks, and the JSE All Share Index closed 0.9% higher.

The property sector is also expected to benefit from the GNU, with the potential for lower interest rates and increased investor confidence.

Jacob Zuma, leader of the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party (MKP), recently rejected the GNU. Zuma stated that the GNU is a “white-led alliance” between the DA and the ANC, and that it is sponsored by big business. He also stated that this alliance is not for the people, but for the benefit of the markets. Zuma’s rejection of the GNU has been met with mixed reactions from political analysts, with some agreeing with his sentiments and others disagreeing.

Understanding Zuma’s legal battle pre-election help to narrate his rejection of GNU.

The Electoral Court dismissed the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) decision to disqualify former president Jacob Zuma from contesting the upcoming elections.
The Constitutional Court has also ruled that Zuma is not eligible or qualified to stand for the elections.
Zuma was convicted and sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of court in 2021, which led to the IEC barring him from contesting the 2024 general elections due to his criminal record.
The Electoral Court ruled that he could run in the elections in April 2024, as his sentence was reduced to three months because he was granted remission of his sentence.
The IEC appealed the Electoral Court’s ruling, and in May 2024, the Constitutional Court ruled that Zuma is not eligible or qualified to stand for the elections.

Why Jacob Zuma’s party, is not part of the GNU after the 2024 election.

Zuma has refused to acknowledge the GNU, calling it a “white-led alliance” between the DA and the ANC.
Zuma claims that the election results were rigged against his party.
Zuma’s party did not attend the first sitting of the National Assembly and has filed a complaint at the Constitutional Court alleging vote-rigging, which the court dismissed.
Zuma’s party has also filed an application to the Electoral Court to have the election results set aside.
The MK party has joined the Progressive Caucus, which includes the EFF and the UDM, and will form the official opposition to the GNU.