In a recent statement, Gwede Mantashe, the Secretary-General of the African National Congress (ANC), has shed light on the reasons behind the party’s decision to enter into a Government of National Unity (GNU) in South Africa. According to Mantashe, the ANC was not eager to form a coalition government, but was rather forced into it due to the electoral outcomes.
The ANC, which has been in power since the end of apartheid in 1994, faced a significant decline in support during the 2019 general elections. The party, which had previously enjoyed a comfortable majority, saw its share of the vote drop to 57.5%, the lowest it has been since the country’s first democratic elections. This decline was largely attributed to widespread corruption and mismanagement within the party, as well as the emergence of new political players.
In the aftermath of the elections, the ANC was faced with a difficult decision – to form a coalition government with other parties or to govern alone with a reduced majority. After much deliberation, the party chose the former, entering into a GNU with the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), the United Democratic Movement (UDM), and the Freedom Front Plus (FF+).
Mantashe, in his statement, acknowledged that the decision to form a coalition government was not an easy one for the ANC. He stated, “We were not eager to form a coalition government, but we were rather forced into it by the electoral outcomes. We had to make a difficult choice for the sake of stability and progress in our country.”
The Secretary-General also highlighted the challenges that come with a coalition government, such as differing ideologies and policies, as well as the need for compromise and cooperation. However, he emphasized that the ANC was committed to making the GNU work for the betterment of all South Africans.
Mantashe also addressed criticism from some quarters that the ANC had lost its mandate to govern alone and had resorted to forming a coalition out of desperation. He stated, “The ANC remains the majority party in South Africa and has a clear mandate to govern. However, we recognize that we cannot do it alone and need the support and cooperation of other parties to move our country forward.”
The Secretary-General also took the opportunity to reaffirm the ANC’s commitment to addressing the issues that led to the decline in support, such as corruption and mismanagement. He stated, “We are aware of the challenges that we face as a party and a government. We are committed to addressing these issues and regaining the trust of the South African people.”
Mantashe’s statement has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising the ANC for putting the country’s interests above their own and others criticizing the party for losing its majority and resorting to forming a coalition. However, one thing is clear – the ANC’s decision to enter into a GNU was a necessary one in the current political landscape of South Africa.
The formation of a coalition government may be seen as a setback for the ANC, but it also presents an opportunity for the party to work with other political players and bring about positive change in the country. The GNU has the potential to foster cooperation and unity among different parties, which can only benefit the people of South Africa.
In conclusion, Gwede Mantashe’s statement sheds light on the ANC’s decision to form a coalition government in South Africa. While the party may have been forced into this decision due to the electoral outcomes, it is clear that the ANC remains committed to governing the country and addressing the challenges it faces. The GNU presents an opportunity for the ANC to work with other parties and bring about positive change for the betterment of all South Africans.
