Political analyst Khanyi Magubane says should the Democratic Alliance (DA) leave the Government of National Unity (GNU), it will be replaced almost immediately.
Her comments come as tension increase between the African National Congress (ANC) and the DA, following disagreements over the 2025/2026 Fiscal Framework.
The two biggest parties in the GNU are at loggerheads over various policies, sparking concerns of instability in the coalition government.
Magubane says a number of parties have been eyeing to join the GNU in case the DA decides to leave.
“And should they leave, the ANC is going to hit the reset button and go into negotiations with other parties. And I can assure there’s many parties waiting in the wings, who have been waiting for this moment. Parties like the EFF, BOSA and ActionSA. They know that this is the time that they could possibly get into the GNU. And the DA knows this,” says Magubane.
Mbalula accuses DA of undermining unity: Khanyi Magubane weighs in
“They know that for them to leave they will be replaced almost immediately. So, they know that they have vested interest in eating humble pie when they have to. But they must also have to realize that, this is bigger than the Budget impasse,” she adds.
Meanwhile, labour union Nehawu wants the ANC to exclude the DA and Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) from the composition of the GNU. The union’s leaders met for a two-day National Executive Committee Meeting to discuss economic and political developments in the country amongst other issues.
Nehawu says smaller parties that helped the ANC to approve the recent Budget should be invited into the GNU to replace the DA.
Nehawu’s NEC has resolved to campaign and support the South African Communist Party (SACP) in the upcoming local government elections.
Nehawu President Mike Shingange says, “How do you wake up in the morning and go to work as a minister, DG and everybody, whereas you did not vote for the Budget. What are you hoping to do there? So, the people who did not want to support this and hope to continue in the Government of National Unity, it is like we’re having two governments in one. So, we agree that we don’t think that should happen. We hope that our movement, the African National Congress in the meeting and their wisdom will act on this thing and act decisively but we also hope that their partners that are remaining in the Government of National Unity can be firm and decisive and kick the Democratic Alliance out of the Government of National Unity.”
Future of GNU under spotlight:
