South African President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks out in Support of Gaza at the UNGA on 23 September. Image credit: Britannica.
(The Post News) – President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) remains strong and committed to its mission, despite early predictions of collapse.
Speaking at the conclusion of a two-day leadership retreat held at the Cradle of Humankind in North West, Ramaphosa emphasised that the coalition is united and focused on delivering results for the country.
“Many people thought we would have collapsed by now. We had our own challenges during this course, and we have reconfirmed that the GNU is here to stay. The GNU is going to find more and more ways of working together,” he said.
Ramaphosa’s decision to host the Retreat
According to TimesLIVE, Ramaphosa recently decided to host a two-day strategic retreat and the gathering was arranged with invitations sent out, but no formal agenda, and participants were instructed to keep discussions confidential.
Ramaphosa described the retreat, which wrapped up on Monday, as highly successful, noting that the engagement went “exceptionally well.”
He emphasised the significance of the meeting, saying that party leaders dedicated substantial time to discussing the country’s current challenges, societal dynamics, political developments, and global affairs.
While some parties had previously withdrawn from the National Dialogue process, Ramaphosa expressed hope that they would return, citing the importance of inclusive governance.
“We are focused on urgency and action,” he said, underscoring the GNU’s intention to move beyond political gridlock.
GNU Members React
The retreat, co-chaired by Ramaphosa and Deputy President Paul Mashatile, brought together leaders from all GNU member parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Patriotic Alliance (PA), Freedom Front Plus (FF+), United Democratic Movement (UDM), and Rise Mzansi.
The gathering aimed to assess the coalition’s progress and chart a path forward on key national priorities.
Despite challenges, including disagreements over the 2025 budget and policy disputes, the GNU has managed to maintain cohesion. The DA, which initially opposed the budget, eventually supported it, signalling a willingness to compromise for the sake of stability.
Songezo Zibi of Rise Mzansi described the recent GNU retreat as a valuable opportunity for party leaders to connect on a personal level.
“It was good to spend time together and build relationships,” he said.
He noted that the informal setting allowed for open conversations that wouldn’t typically happen in formal meetings.
More importantly, Zibi said, the discussions focused on how to move forward in a more structured and coordinated way, including refining the GNU’s programme, clarifying the role of the clearing house, and addressing key national concerns.
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