Negotiations between the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) regarding the composition of the Government of National Unity (GNU) Cabinet get sour. President Cyril Ramaphosa, amidst mounting pressure within his own party, has made crucial alterations to the terms of an earlier offer, leaving the DA questioning the ANC's sincerity and raising doubts about the possibility of reaching a binding agreement.
According to the latest information obtained by Celeb Gossip News, the ANC's revised offer to the DA still grants them six Cabinet seats. However, a crucial ministry has been removed from the list and replaced with a significantly less influential portfolio, which was never previously considered. This unexpected change has left some in the DA questioning the ANC's sincerity and raising concerns about the consistency of their dealings.
Amanda Khoza, a respected political correspondent, reveals that the ANC views this offer as a "take it or leave it" final chance for the DA to join the government. President Ramaphosa, determined to move forward swiftly, is prepared to announce his Cabinet imminently, leaving the DA with a rapidly shrinking window of opportunity to make a decision.
Furthermore, Ramaphosa has reduced the number of deputy ministries offered from seven to six, although the deputy minister of finance remains on the table. It is unclear, however, what specific functions and responsibilities this role would entail, as deputy ministers do not form part of the official Cabinet structure. This ambiguity has only added to the growing frustration and skepticism within the DA regarding the ANC's motives and the integrity of their offers.
The president's response on Wednesday night has prompted some members of the DA to question the ANC's negotiating tactics and cast doubts on the feasibility of reaching a mutually agreeable arrangement. The sudden alteration of terms, combined with the lack of consistency in the ANC's dealings, has generated a measure of anger and disbelief, further straining the relationship between the two parties.
In a bid to apply pressure and set a deadline for the DA's decision, President Ramaphosa has given party leader John Steenhuisen until Sunday to accept or reject the revised offer. This ultimatum comes after a series of back-and-forth interactions between Ramaphosa and Steenhuisen.
Last Friday, the two leaders engaged in their first meeting to discuss the Cabinet composition. On that occasion, Ramaphosa initially offered three cabinet positions, which Steenhuisen swiftly rejected. The following day, the president presented a revised offer of six ministries, along with several deputy ministries.
In response, the DA, represented by Helen Zille, the party's federal council chairperson, submitted a letter on Sunday outlining a range of ministries in each Cabinet cluster. The letter also emphasized the DA's significant support base and proposed that, should Ramaphosa decline their request for the position of deputy president, the DA should be granted a ministry within the Presidency.
However, the leak of this letter on Monday sparked widespread outrage, with the ANC publicly condemning the DA's "outrageous" demands. President Ramaphosa further rebuked the party in his newsletter without explicitly naming them, while various ANC leaders appeared on television on Tuesday to criticize the opposition party.
Despite the cordial nature of the interactions between Ramaphosa and Steenhuisen, the revised offer has strained the relationship between the ANC and the DA. Some within the DA view the new offer as significantly less attractive and perceive it as a clear indication of the ANC's reluctance to share power, even in the face of election results.
The DA has consistently maintained that the negotiations should center not on the number of portfolios but on the seniority of the ministries offered and their potential to effect positive social and economic change. In light of the latest developments, the DA will convene on Thursday morning to determine its next course of action and formulate a response to the ANC's revised offer.
As the clock ticks and tensions rise, South Africa watches with bated breath, awaiting the outcome of these critical negotiations that will shape the country's political landscape for years to come.
