Cape Town — As the Government of National Unity (GNU) grows, the latest party to join – Al Jama-ah – said it joined so it could weaken the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) influence from the inside.
Al Jama-ah became the 10th party to join the GNU, joining the DA, African National Congress (ANC), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Patriotic Alliance (PA), Pan- African Congress (PAC), Freedom Front Plus (FF+), Good Party, United Democratic Movement (UDM) and Rise Mzansi.
Upon joining the GNU, Al Jama-ah has gone back on its decision to enter a coalition with the DA, and party leader, Ganief Hendricks, said the party’s reasons fr joining the GNU was to weaken the DA’s influence and powers, The Citizen reported.
“This new configuration allows smaller parties to boost the ANC’s bargaining abilities; thus, not only weakening the DA and its allies’, but with the hope to sideline them or throwing them off board,” Hendricks said.
“Al Jama-ah’s decision to join the GNU is based on viewing the ANC’s statement of intent through a different lens; the re-crafted statement of intent differs from that the ANC had in mind with the DA and this reconfiguration does not imply being ‘in bed’ with the DA as claimed by many,” he added.
The ANC says it’s concerned by some parties making outlandish demands for cabinet positions through the media. The DA has made no secret of what it believes should be the formula to guide the allocation of positions. Al Jama-ah leader Ganief Hendricks and the GOOD party’s Brett… pic.twitter.com/OAJhIfCKDP
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) June 25, 2024
According to EWN, Hendricks said that joining the GNU should secure the future of its councillor, Kabelo Gwamanda, as the Johannesburg mayor. He said the bilateral relationships built over the last 10 years will be strengthened by the fact that the party is now in the GNU.
Hendricks said that the party has done a review on Gwamanda’s one year in charge of Johannesburg and it is satisfied with his performance to date.
“The bilateral relationships we have built up historically over the last 10 years, will now be strengthened by the fact that we are part of the political assembly (GNU) and in that political assembly it will be on merit so if Gwamanda is doing a good job and that is brought before a panel, surely they will keep him in power.” he said.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
