RiseMzansi says the work of Parliament and that of the Government of National Unity (GNU) proceeded smoothly in 2024. The party says major highlights for the year include the formation of different political ideas in the cabinet where a variety of political parties are now represented.
RiseMzansi MP Makashule Gana says they hope 2025 will bring more political unity for the sake of the country.
“And the work that we do as Rise Mzansi both in Parliament but also in the GNU, especially in Parliament, our leader Songezo Zibi is the Chairperson of Scopa and myself as a whip of smaller parties interacting much more closely with Parliament, I will say that we started slower than other years but once everyone understood what the new reality is, things started moving and moving a lot of more quicker and also now people, they do understand each other’s role.”
Legislation
Meanwhile, African National Congress (ANC) Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli says the legislative process since the formation of the GNU has been both interesting and challenging.
The ANC governed the country for 30 years but did not get an outright majority after the elections and a GNU was formed with other political parties.
“It has been very challenging because it has been an election year. Very challenging for the ANC which has been the governing party for the past 30 years and natural with all challenges that are facing our people. The expectation has always been that the ANC, as a governing party has a responsibility to deal with multifaceted challenges that continue to confront many of our people. I am very delighted that we went to the elections and of course, while we didn’t have a decisive majority, but the ANC still succeeded to set up a Government of National Unity which of course has thrown up its own demanding realities that we have to handle moving forward.”
VIDEO| Some of the gains of the GNU
COSATU’s Parliamentary Coordinator Matthew Parks says the legislative process in 2024 was tested in many ways due to the formation of the GNU.
“The May 29 elections was an important event. It was not an easy moment and despite all of the chaos, and noise of democracy, it is the moment that all South Africans can be proud of. While as Cosatu we would have wished for an outright victory for our ally the ANC. Nonetheless, we can be proud of how the ANC has managed itself while it was faced with the electoral defeat, for not having won the elections outright. It accepted immediately and went on how to form a government going forward and ensuring the country’s stability was put forward, while the Government of National Unity was not our first choice as Cosatu.”
VIDEO | The GNU has not been without its challenges.
