Cape Town – The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling for equitable power sharing within the newly formed Government of National Unity (GNU).
According to SABC, DA Federal Council Chairperson Helen Zille insists that the African National Congress (ANC) must recognise the DA as a crucial partner and grant it significant influence in the upcoming national executive cabinet.
Her remarks come as President Cyril Ramaphosa has yet to announce his new cabinet amidst demands from various political parties.
Zille says that the DA should not merely support the ANC but have real power to improve South Africans’ lives.
“We can’t be held to ransom. I mean the DA is a very serious partner in this. We can’t just be a walking stick to help the ANC continue as it has done before. We have to be able to have some real influence and power in the government to make life better for South Africans,” the report quoted Zille as saying.
Since the GNU’s establishment, ten political parties, including the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), GOOD Party, Patriotic Alliance (PA), Pan African Congress (PAC), United Democratic Movement (UDM), Freedom Front Plus (FF PLUS), and Al Jama-ah, have joined, with Rise Mzansi being the latest addition.
Reports indicate that the DA has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to appoint at least 10 of its MPs to key economic portfolios and to name DA leader John Steenhuisen as deputy president in the upcoming government of national unity (GNU) cabinet, reports say.
These demands have delayed the announcement of the new cabinet, originally expected on Sunday, The Citizen reported.
Negotiations between the ANC and DA have stalled, as the ANC offered only three cabinet posts to the DA, while the DA seeks at least 10 out of 30 positions, the report said.
Citing City Press, the report said that the DA is also pushing for Steenhuisen to become deputy president, arguing they are the second-largest party in the GNU.
“The ANC told us they were entitled to the positions of president and speaker because they are the largest minority party in the GNU.
“By that same logic, the DA must get the position of deputy president for our leader, because we are the second-largest party. This is the norm in coalition governments the world over,” the report quoted a DA insider as saying.
According to Sunday Times, however, the ANC has rejected the DA’s demands, citing a shrinking cabinet pie due to the inclusion of more parties like the UDM, Patriotic Alliance, PAC, Rise Mzansi, and FF+.
Despite the deadlock, communication lines remain open, and negotiations are ongoing, the report said.
The DA aims to manage portfolios including communication and digital technology, trade and industry, transport, public service and administration, water and sanitation, local government, and health, along with deputy minister posts in finance and health.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: X/@Umalumewabantu
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
