Cape Town — Presidential spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, has said that no single party within the Government of National Unity (GNU) will unilaterally change policies as stated in their political manifestos.
African National Congress (ANC) president, Cyril Ramaphosa, announced a GNU will lead the country into the seventh administration after the party failed to secure an outright majority in the 2024 general elections.
The GNU brings 10 political parties together, each with different policies and ideologies. It allows for direction in policy-making and government management and some parties may want to drive their policies, but Magwenya said no single party or individual can change a policy, he told Newzroom Afrika.
“What the president has in front of him currently, is that there is alignment based on the agreement around the Statement of Intent. The basic minimum programme that is outlined in that statement aligns with the priorities that he would like to see the seventh administration drive.” he said.
“We need to distinguish political rhetoric. You’re not going to have a case where all the party manifestos are going to find expression, and some of the issues are issues that are already well-expressed within the Constitution. Some of the issues may be up for discussion, but there is no single party that will unilaterally decide to either change policy, legislation and amend regulations,” he added.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says no single political party or individual within GNU will unilaterally change policies as informed by their party campaign manifestos.
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Magwenya said there are stipulations in place on how to go about amending the legislation and regulations, and the decision will not be handled unilaterally. The ministers from the different parties in the GNU will still be bound by the same constitution when they take the oath after their appointment.
Ramaphosa said in his newsletter that the Statement of Intent commits the signatories to a set of principles that includes respect for the constitutionalism, accountability, transparency and community participation in government, The Citizen reported.
He said the parties in the GNU have agreed on priorities for the incoming administration and that at the top of the list of priorities is the achievement of rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth to create jobs.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
