Let’s not fight over positions because the country is watching, says Ramaphosa
The GNU’s focus should be on how we are going to govern together.
President Cyril Ramaphosa used his weekly newsletter – ‘From the Desk of the President’, to urge signatories to the Government of National Unity (GNU) to put the country first.
“South Africans made clear with their votes in last month’s elections that they want their elected representatives to put aside narrow interests and work together to build the country. To do so, the GNU cannot be preoccupied with jockeying for positions, tussles over appointments or squabbles within and between parties,” said Ramaphosa.
The president’s newsletter comes amid reports that members of the GNU are at odds over cabinet appointments. Ramaphosa has yet to make known who his deputy president, ministers and deputy ministers will be. South African political parties all failed to clinch an outright majority in the 2024 general election, which forces them to work together and form a coalition government.
“The country’s hopes are pinned on the success of the GNU. Our stated commitment to work together constructively and for South Africa’s benefit has generated a great deal of goodwill that we should not squander.
South Africans are watching. We should not waste our energies on those who stand in the way of our country’s progress or lose momentum over differences that can be resolved”, added Ramaphosa.
There currently are 10 political parties which are part of the GNU, namely: ANC, DA, IFP, PA, PAC, GOOD, UDM, VF+, Rise Mzansi and Al Jama-ah.
