Cape Town — Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader, Mmusi Maimane, has said that his party is hesitant to join the African National Congress (ANC)-led Government of National Unity (GNU).
BOSA is among a number of political parties currently on the fence about joining the GNU.
After attending President Cyril Ramaphosa’s inauguration, Maimane said his party was still weighing its options.
“I’ve been unequivocal in saying that, it’s important that we begin to understand what the government is intent on doing. The president gave a glossary of challenges, and it wasn’t my expectations that he would give a detailed plan, but what I’d like to do is to say, post this engagement, can we talk about what he wants to do in education and the economy?,” Maimane said.
He said that if BOSA were to join the coalition, the agenda needs to be consistent with the promise of what South Africans would do and that it would deliver its promises.
[WATCH] Bosa leader Mmusi Maimane says they can only join the GNU if President Cyril Ramaphosa defined his plan for SA because, he claims, the new government doesn’t have an agenda. “I can’t promise SA economic
inclusion and serve in a government that doesn’t achieve that.” pic.twitter.com/6xcKNU8YUH— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) June 19, 2024
Maimane’s key focus was on education. He said that he could not be part of a coalition that did not focus on improving education, EWN reported.
“Never join a government if you are unclear about what it’s going to do. I’m passionate about education, but what I’m certainly not going to do is join a government that says we’ll keep 30% [basic education pass mark].” he said,
“Then, you are in a position but you’re doing what the ANC wants to do. If we are serious about this moment, let’s agree about the things we need to do.” he added.
According to IOL, Maimane said the inauguration of the seventh administration of the GNU was worth celebrating and showed off a new era for South Africa. He said the country had now moved from liberation politics to governance politics.
“South Africa is having a new experience. This is a first for all of us. The thing I am celebrating today is that we have moved from liberation politics. That is an important step. The next thing that we have to do now is go into governance politics – how do we ensure that we deliver? South Africa still faces some great difficulties, unemployment is high, kids are not educated and our citizens are not safe,” he said.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
