Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has come out firmly against any proposal to expand the Government of National Unity (GNU) to include the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). Speaking earlier today, Steenhuisen warned that such a move would disrupt the fragile political balance and stall governance efforts.
“Such a move would make things worse,” he said, highlighting concerns over ideological clashes and instability within an already complex coalition. According to Steenhuisen, the inclusion of MK and EFF—both known for their populist and often confrontational approaches—would undermine efforts to deliver coherent policy and economic recovery.
The GNU was established in June 2024 following a historic shift in South African politics, where the African National Congress (ANC) failed to secure a parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994, gaining just 40.18% of the vote in the May elections. With no single party able to govern alone, the GNU emerged as a compromise aimed at ensuring continuity and avoiding a hung government.
As talks of further expansion surface, Steenhuisen’s comments reflect growing tensions over the direction of the coalition and the political future of South Africa.
