Should we abandon the Government of National Unity?

 South Africa’s political landscape has been marred by dysfunction and division in recent years, and the recent postponement of the Budget Speech in February 2025 is a clear sign of just how fractured the country’s government has become.

What was initially conceived as a solution to the nation's challenges — the Government of National Unity (GNU) — has now turned into a political deadlock that seems to be preventing progress at every turn. The coalition between the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA), once seen as a pragmatic response to political and economic crises, has degenerated into a battlefield of conflicting ideologies and entrenched positions. The central question is whether the GNU is worth preserving as it currently exists. Should the ANC and DA continue trying to work together, or is it time for South Africa to admit that this coalition no longer serves the public’s best interests?

The postponement of the Budget Speech is merely the latest in a series of failed attempts at governance. If South Africa is to move forward, the parties involved must confront the reality that their collaboration is no longer effective — and that the time has come for a new political direction.

The Genesis of the Government of National Unity

The GNU was initially formed after the 2024 national elections, where no single party could secure an outright majority.

Once the dominant political force in the country, the ANC found itself losing ground, plagued by scandals, corruption, and an inability to address the country's key challenges. On the other hand, the DA, as the largest opposition party, had its ideological differences from the ANC. Still, both parties recognized the need for stability after a weakened government. They came together in an attempt to form a united government that could pull South Africa out of its economic crisis. On paper, the formation of a GNU made sense. The ANC brought years of experience in governance, while the DA promised to hold the ruling party accountable and inject some fresh ideas into South Africa’s economic and social policies.

The partnership was meant to balance unity and oversight, ensuring that no party could dominate the others and that the country's leadership would collaborate on critical issues like job creation, fiscal policy, and national security. But from the outset, cracks began to appear. While the initial agreement may have been rooted in national stability, the fundamental differences between the ANC’s historically left-wing approach and the DA’s more centrist, pro-business stance have made it nearly impossible to govern effectively. The clash of ideologies has led to constant tensions, with neither party willing to back down on core principles, particularly economic policy.

The Political StalemateThe postponement of the Budget Speech — a key event in the South African political calendar — marked a clear turning point. The inability of the ANC and DA to agree on a unified approach to the national budget was more than just an embarrassment; it was a reflection of the gridlock that has come to define South African politics under the GNU. South Africa’s economy, already struggling under the weight of corruption, rising debt, and stagnant growth, can ill afford to have critical fiscal decisions delayed due to political infighting.

The ANC, struggling to hold its fractured party together, has been reluctant to make chard economic decisions. The deep-rooted corruption within its ranks has created a sense of distrust, both internally and among the public. Meanwhile, the DA has consistently pushed for austerity measures and greater fiscal discipline, but its opposition to the ANC’s policies has led to repeated deadlocks. The ideological chasm between the two parties has become a barrier to progress, as each party stubbornly clings to its position without a willingness to compromise.

South Africa’s political paralysis is not limited to economic issues. Other critical areas, such as healthcare, education, and land reform, have also suffered from the ANC and DA's lack of cooperation. While these issues require long-term strategic thinking and effective governance, the parties are too busy fighting each other to address the people's needs. In the process, the citizens of South Africa—who are already struggling with unemployment, poor service delivery, and escalating inequality—are left to bear the consequences.

The Illusion of Unity

The formation of the GNU was meant to symbolize unity in the face of a nation’s challenges. It was supposed to signal that political leaders could put aside their differences for the greater good of South Africa. However, the reality has been far from that ideal. The current political situation resembles more of a political charade than a true government of national unity. While the ANC and DA present a public image of cooperation behind the scenes, they are embroiled in a bitter power struggle, each side unwilling to yield on key issues. For the ANC, the GNU has had the opportunity to retain power and maintain influence despite a shrinking electoral base. However, internal divisions, corruption scandals, and a lack of coherent policy direction have made it increasingly difficult for the party to lead effectively.

On the other hand, despite its claims of upholding good governance, the DA has often acted as the opposition within the coalition, thwarting efforts to enact policies it does not support. The public, in turn, has grown disillusioned with a government that appears more focused on maintaining political power than delivering results. The promise of unity, accountability, and reform has proven hollow as the ANC and DA engage in political gamesmanship at the expense of the country’s future. A Time for ChangeThe question that now looms over South Africa is whether it is time for the Government of National Unity to collapse. The political deadlock between the ANC and DA has brought the country to a standstill. South Africa needs a government that can act decisively, deliver on promises, and push the nation toward a brighter future. The current arrangement, with its constant infighting and inability to make crucial decisions, is doing more harm than good. If the ANC and DA can not find a way to work together for the country's benefit, then perhaps it is time to end the GNU and move towards a new political structure. This could mean breaking the coalition and allowing other political forces to emerge or reforming the current system to allow for more effective cooperation.

Either way, South Africa can not afford to remain stuck in a coalition that only prolongs its economic and political stagnation. The collapse of the GNU may be painful in the short term, but it could open the door to a more dynamic, accountable, and forward-thinking government. South Africa deserves better than a government that is more focused on its survival than on the needs of its people. The failure of the ANC and DA to govern effectively is a national crisis. The collapse of the Government of National Unity may be the best option for South Africa, as it would allow the country to move beyond the political paralysis that has defined recent years. South Africa needs a government that is unified in purpose and committed to delivering results for its people. The current coalition is not working, and it is time for the political leadership to make a bold decision — either fix the government or let it collapse and give South Africa the opportunity for a fresh start. The country’s future depends on this crucial choice.

*Mayalo is an independent writer, analyst, and commentator