As the negotiations between the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) reach a fever pitch, the DA has its sights firmly set on securing one of the most influential positions in the upcoming Government of National Unity (GNU) – the minister in the Presidency.
If successful, the DA would gain control of the State Security portfolio, which encompasses monitoring and addressing both domestic and foreign threats to the nation. According to hints dropped by the party's federal chairperson, Helen Zille, the DA leader, John Steenhuisen, is being considered for this significant role.
During a recent interview with Clement Manyathela on 702, Zille expressed her belief that the minister in the Presidency position would be a reasonable fit for Steenhuisen given that the party is not vying for the president or deputy president positions. In this capacity, Steenhuisen would assume responsibility for overseeing crucial entities such as the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics South Africa, the Government Communication and Information System, the Media Development and Diversity Agency, Brand South Africa, and the State Security Agency.
Zille also hinted that, although not a ministerial position, the DA has its sights on the leader of government business role. This key position would enable the party to ensure job creation, economic stability, poverty alleviation, and resolution of the energy crisis, which are among the DA's core promises.
While the ANC and DA alliance appears to be moving forward, it hasn't been without its critics and dissenting voices. One notable figure who has publicly expressed his disapproval is former ANC Youth League leader Andile Lungisa. Lungisa boycotted the inauguration as a protest against what he perceives as a compromised alliance between the ANC and DA. He stated that he would rather tend to his father's cows in his home village than be associated with individuals whose "political consciousness" has escaped them. As a staunch Pan-Africanist, Lungisa prioritizes his political conscience above all else.
Now, all eyes turn to President Cyril Ramaphosa as he prepares to announce the composition of the GNU Cabinet. Following extensive discussions with the founding and partnering parties of the GNU, Ramaphosa is expected to unveil the seventh administration's Cabinet lineup this week. The ANC, DA, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Patriotic Alliance (PA), and other smaller parties, having supported Ramaphosa's nomination and election as president in Parliament on June 14, are anticipated to be rewarded with Cabinet appointments.
Insiders within the GNU have revealed that the allocation of portfolios within the security and economic clusters remains a contentious issue. Specifically, the trade-off between the portfolios of police and defense in the security cluster, as well as finance and trade and industry in the economic cluster, has been a point of disagreement. The ANC has been urged to concede two portfolios, leaving the rest for the DA. However, the ANC has stood firm, refusing to relinquish critical ministries such as justice, the South African Police Service (SAPS), the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), finance, and the Department of Trade and Industry.
The refusal of the ANC to share these critical ministries has been met with criticism from the DA, who believes that it is being treated unfairly. A knowledgeable source within the GNU expressed concern over the ANC's arrogance, stating, "The arrogance of the ANC will collapse this GNU because the ANC cannot continue to behave like they attained an outright majority. For this GNU to work, sacrifices must be made."
The DA has proposed that the cabinet composition should reflect the proportional shares of seats held by each party in parliament, suggesting that this would be the fairest way to achieve a trade-off. The success of the GNU is also contingent upon similar agreements being reached in the two hung provinces. While KwaZulu-Natal has made progress in this regard, talks in Gauteng have reportedly faltered.
Internally, the ANC is grappling with pushback from its alliance partners, some of whom have unequivocally rejected the possibility of working alongside the DA. Traditionally, the ANC has accommodated candidates from its alliance partners in cabinet appointments, as well as ensuring geographic representation from its provincial structures.
President Ramaphosa, who has up to 30 days to make his decision, is expected to announce the cabinet lineup in the coming days. Optimists believe that an early announcement would bolster the positive market response witnessed thus far, while others speculate that it may still take a few more days for the president to finalize his decision, unless the parties can find common ground sooner.
