The long-anticipated meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has officially taken place, the Presidency confirmed on Wednesday evening. The private conversation, which followed tension within the Government of National Unity (GNU), was convened after friction arose over Ramaphosa’s signing of the Expropriation Bill into law.
Steenhuisen had publicly criticized Ramaphosa for bypassing consultations with his coalition partners on the matter. On Tuesday, the DA leader expressed frustration, accusing the president of neglecting to consult the GNU parties before signing the controversial bill. “When you make decisions, and you don’t consult the rest of your party, the parties in the coalition, without even giving a courtesy call to the leaders, knowing how contentious the Expropriation Bill has been, that’s not being a good steward or a good partner of the GNU,” Steenhuisen stated during a media briefing.
The Expropriation Bill, signed by Ramaphosa on January 24, 2025, followed five years of contentious debates, disagreements, and protests from various political factions. The legislation aims to provide a legal framework for the expropriation of land for public purposes, but has faced fierce opposition from both civil rights groups and political parties. Some critics argue that it does not go far enough in facilitating land redistribution, while others vehemently oppose any form of land expropriation without compensation.
In response to the outcry, Steenhuisen reached out for a private meeting with Ramaphosa, which took place on Wednesday. According to Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, the session was held without the presence of any officials, making it a strictly one-on-one engagement between the two leaders. Magwenya revealed that, based on Ramaphosa’s account, the meeting was positive and productive, with both sides gaining clarity on the importance of consultation within the coalition.
The two leaders reportedly discussed the need to address consent issues and ensure better communication through the GNU’s established clearing house. “There was no blood on the floor, so to speak,” Magwenya said, emphasizing that while disagreements were acknowledged, the GNU would not collapse over this issue. He noted that the discussions were cordial and collegial, and that there was alignment on several key points.
Magwenya also conveyed that the president came out of the meeting feeling optimistic, adding that the outcomes were “very positive.” He expressed confidence that while tensions may arise, the GNU would continue to function and maintain its unity.
The meeting has, for now, alleviated some of the immediate concerns regarding the stability of the coalition, but it remains to be seen how the Expropriation Bill and other contentious issues will shape the future of South Africa’s ruling alliance.
