Build One South Africa (Bosa) leader Mmusi Maimane has raised significant concerns about the Government of National Unity’s (GNU) failure to reach legislative agreements, attributing the dysfunction to deep-rooted ideological and policy conflicts within the coalition. Speaking at the pre-SONA briefing on Tuesday, Maimane expressed frustration over the ongoing internal disputes, which he believes are stalling progress and undermining the coalition’s potential.
Maimane pointed out that the GNU, which was initially hailed as a fresh start for South Africa’s fractured political landscape, has instead turned into a political balancing act. He said that six months into the coalition’s formation, it has failed to deliver meaningful change. While the GNU was expected to bring a new era of cooperation and problem-solving, Maimane believes it has done little to address the country’s pressing issues.
The recent tensions within the GNU have been exacerbated by disagreements over key pieces of legislation, including the Land Expropriation Bill, the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill, and the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill. While the ANC has strongly supported these bills, opposition parties, particularly the Democratic Alliance (DA), have fiercely opposed them, even threatening legal action against President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Maimane criticized the ongoing instability within the GNU, pointing out that the coalition’s failure to reach consensus on critical policies has left South Africa in a state of stagnation. He argued that the inclusion of opposition voices in the coalition has not led to more balanced governance, but rather has allowed ANC-led policies to dominate without the collaborative spirit that was promised.
He also highlighted the unfulfilled promises of a new political era, focused on economic revitalization and tangible improvements in the daily lives of South Africans. Instead, the GNU’s inability to chart a clear and cohesive policy direction has left the country in a state of uncertainty and stagnation.
Maimane raised concerns over a range of unresolved issues, including the rising youth unemployment rate, the unstable electricity supply, increasing crime rates, and persistent joblessness. These challenges continue to plague the nation, despite the GNU’s mandate to address them. He stressed that the greatest crisis facing South Africa is the widespread poverty experienced by too many citizens, which remains unaddressed as the coalition bickers over policy.
As President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares to deliver his first SONA address under the GNU, Maimane has called for urgent solutions to South Africa’s growing economic and social challenges. Political analyst Goodenough Mashego suggests that Ramaphosa might attempt to highlight progress made in combating organized crime, particularly illicit mining and extortion gangs, which are seen as some of the biggest threats to the country’s stability.
Mashego also speculated that Ramaphosa would focus on unemployment and job creation, pointing to government incentives like the presidential emergency stimulus package and efforts by the National Health Council and the National Research Council. However, critics argue that these measures have yet to make a tangible difference in reducing the country’s unemployment rate, which stands at a staggering 32.1%.
In addition, Ramaphosa is expected to tout the passage of the controversial National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill as a significant achievement, despite strong opposition from the DA and concerns about the scheme’s implementation and costs. The NHI, which seeks to create a state fund to cover medical expenses for all South Africans, has sparked heated debate, with many questioning its feasibility and the long-term impact on the country’s healthcare system.
As Ramaphosa prepares to address the nation, Maimane’s concerns reflect the growing frustration within South Africa’s political landscape. The GNU’s inability to unite on key policy issues has left many wondering whether it can truly deliver the change that South Africa so desperately needs.
