Cape Town – Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has reiterated his party’s commitment to the Government of National Unity (GNU), emphasising that the DA does not seek to dominate the government despite not holding a 51% majority.
Speaking during a press briefing in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday, Steenhuisen clarified that the DA fully accepts its role in the current political framework, acknowledging that the party does not have a majority to govern unilaterally.
“We don’t seek to dominate the government. We fully accept that we do not have a 51% majority. But equaly so, no other party has 51% in the government of national unity. And that means the parties have to work together, they have to compromise and they have to be allowed to have their voices heard loud and clear within that government,” he said.
[WATCH] Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen says, The DA does not seek to dominate the government; they fully accept that they do not have a 51% majority. He adds that they are committed to the Government of National Unity. pic.twitter.com/eiTOaEvF7e
— SABC News (@SABCNews) April 5, 2025
“It is not sustainable to be a part of a government that cuts you out of key decision making areas – whether that is economic policy or foreign policy. The government of national unity is not a continuation of the 6th administration, it is a new government that reflect the will of the people.”
Steenhuisen stressed that the DA’s involvement in the GNU was a decision made for the benefit of the people of South Africa, underlining the party’s dedication to a genuine power-sharing relationship within the coalition.
“We are committed to the government of national unity and we entered the government of national unity because it was the right thing to do for the people of South Africa,” he said.
“But then, it has to become a genuine power-sharing relationship. It cannot simply be that only party says to another party that consensus means you agree with what we put on the table…”
[WATCH] Steenhuisen says the party has received a letter from business, which is concerned about potential exclusion of the DA from government, which he says wiped off over R1 trillion from the JSE.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/CkKGvFScPN
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) April 5, 2025
Steenhuisen also addressed concerns raised by the business sector, following a letter the DA received from business leaders regarding the potential exclusion of the party from the government.
The letter, he said, highlighted the negative impact this exclusion could have on the country’s economy.
The DA leader reassured stakeholders that the party remains focused on its role in the government, emphasising the need for stability and continued collaboration within the GNU.
This comes after the ANC passed the 2025 National Budget without the DA support, leading to the DA filing court papers challenging its passage.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula earlier accused the DA of using the 0.5% VAT increase for political point-scoring.
He claimed the DA had initially agreed to back the increase if the Exportation Act was scrapped, calling their stance disingenuous, EWN reported.
“The arrogance of the DA needs to be tamed. They are arrogant. They’ve got no respect. All that’s important to them is that they must win. You can’t find a solution by grandstanding, and that’s what the DA has done thus far,” the report quoted Mbalula as saying.
Meanwhile, the ANC has not ruled out ActionSA joining the Government of National Unity (GNU) amid tensions with the DA.
Mbalula confirmed discussions with ActionSA, praising their willingness to prioritise the country over political positions.
