In recent political discourse in South Africa, a video clip of Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Chairperson Helen Zille has garnered significant attention. In this video, Zille contests the existence of a Government of National Unity (GNU), asserting instead that what we have is a coalition formed between the DA and the African National Congress (ANC) from the outset.
According to her, President Cyril Ramaphosa invented the term “government of national unity” to make the coalition more palatable to his party.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa came up with this notion of a Government of National Unity, which he thought would be a better way of selling the concept of a coalition to his own party,” she said.
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Zille clearly states that a government of national unity would involve all parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party, which it did not.
She elaborated that it gave the President a fig leaf to include smaller parties and deny being in a coalition with the DA. However, Zille insists that the truth is they (DA and ANC) are indeed in a coalition, contending that if a party withdraws, the coalition collapses.
“A Government of National Unity brings all the parties together that would include the EFF (Economic Freedom Fighters) and MK Party (Umkhonto Wesizwe Party), which it did not,” Zille said.
“But it still gave the president the fig leaf he needed to bring in all sorts of smaller parties to say ‘I’m not in a coalition with the DA’,” she said.
“Now the truth is that we (DA and ANC) are actually in a coalition because a coalition means that if a party withdraws from the coalition that the party falls.”
ITS NOT A GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY BUT A COALITION WITH THE DA- HELEN ZILLE
She admitted to plummeting the rand when ANC didn’t pitch up for GNU meeting, now we know for sure who is the rand manipulator.. so bo clever blacks leave EFF/MK out of it, you have your witch 🧙♀️ pic.twitter.com/SRJOiGqD77
— Chris doesn’t excel (@Chrispoes) August 1, 2024
Following the ANC’s dismal performance in the May 29 elections, the party formed what is termed a GNU with other parties, including the DA.
The coalition comprises the ANC, DA, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Patriotic Alliance (PA), Good Party, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC), Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus), United Democratic Movement (UDM), Rise Mzansi, and Al Jama-ah.
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Zille’s remarks have sparked debate and scrutinized the nature and veracity of what was touted as a Government of National Unity.
The coalition formed has crucial implications for political dynamics and governance in South Africa. Whether it is genuinely a GNU or merely a coalition under another name remains a point of contention.
 despite President Cyril Ramaphosa's assertions. In a viral video,){kind=link}