The ANC's new floor leader in the National Assembly, Mdumiseni Ntuli, acknowledged that the next five years would be a tough one for parliament. The ANC failed to win a majority in last month's general election and decided to form a government of national unity with other parties.
Ntuli says he is ready to make GNU work for South Africans.
“I believe the ANC leadership is well up to the challenge. We are ready to rise to this challenge. Of course, I know that this GNU concept and statement of intent will be subject to ongoing interpretation and contestation between the parties involved. But I believe that the ANC, which originated this concept, will find a way through this in the interest of the people,” Ntuli said.
Political analyst Thobani Zikalala. But on closer inspection, Zikalala says the deal may not be all good for smaller parties.
President Ramaphosa was sworn in for his second term today.
He is now due to announce his cabinet, which is expected to include ministers from other parties affiliated with the GNU.
“I think the people who wrote the speeches on his behalf – the speeches that he delivered – did a good job in terms of vindicating the government of national unity and, of course, setting out the way forward,” Zikalala said.
He said GNU doesn't bode well for the smaller groups that are members of the agreement.
“If you don't look at anything about the Government of National Unity you're going to be very happy and very hopeful about the future. But of course, if you look at the details of the Government of National Unity and how it's structured, some things start to fall apart. I think the position that the DA has recently expressed, and of course the position that is reflected in the Government of National Unity's statement of intent, doesn't bode very well for the other smaller parties that have been invited to join.”
7th Administration | President Ramaphosa expected to select new cabinet: Thobani Zikalala says
