ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula. (Photo: Per Anders Pettersson/Getty Images)
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said on Thursday the party was narrowing its options down to a national unity government rather than a coalition government.
The ANC has been in talks with other parties this week to form a government after failing to win a majority in last week's elections for the first time since 1994.
Speaking to reporters outside the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, where the party's national executive committee (NEC) is meeting, Mbalula said Jacob Zuma's Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party was the only party with which it was difficult to talk.
“It has been very difficult to get in touch and we have not been able to get anything. It will depend on this meeting whether we will be able to meet them or not, but as I have said, we are ready to talk to anyone,” he said.
“It’s very difficult to talk to people there because when you talk to them they say they are still waiting for Ubaba. [Zuma] We cannot find Ubaba, but we are ready to discuss with the MK Party.”
He said the ANC was determined to look at different models of governance rather than looking to any particular political party.
There was a perception that there was an agreement to work with the Democratic Alliance (DA) but this was not the case, Mbalula said.
The ANC had several scenarios in mind, narrowing it down to a Government of National Unity (GNU).
Mbalula said the negotiations were based on a readiness to compromise and embrace the goodwill of the people.
“This is not just a question of talking about a coalition without a model, it's a question of whether there is a model in the country through a national dialogue that will move South Africa forward without political attrition and party identities, while preserving and protecting the interests of political parties in certain ways.”
“The talks are continuing and we are moving to a stage where we will receive a mandate from NEC and conduct tough negotiations to consider options, including technical aspects. The GNU we are talking about may not be the same as in 1994. It's in the details. The technical team will be given a broad mandate when it comes to negotiations.”
This week's source: Mail & Guardian President Cyril Ramaphosa and his closest allies within the ANC believed the only path to stability was through a cooperation agreement with the DA.
However, there has been backlash within the ruling party over the president's choice of the DA over the EFF or MK Party.
Ahead of a meeting of the National Electoral Commission on Thursday, a group of ANC protesters led by Tthutuzile Zuma said the DA was not an option the ANC should consider.
Mbalula said the protests were “unfortunate” and inappropriate as now was the time for calm.
“No position has been put forward, the position will be derived from the NEC and the President will have the final say on it.”
The party has taken the unusual step of allowing the media to attend President Ramaphosa's closing speech, where the party's decision will be made public.