ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa
ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the party’s national executive committee wants to explore the possibility of expanding the government of national unity to strengthen national stability and advance key objectives.
In a move aimed at bolstering South Africa’s fragile coalition government, ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed on Monday that the party’s national executive committee (NEC) is keen to look into ways of broadening the government of national unity (GNU). This comes after a four-day NEC meeting held at the Germiston Civic Centre in Ekurhuleni, where leaders discussed pressing issues facing the country. The GNU, formed over a year ago following the ANC’s loss of its outright majority in the 2024 national elections, has been hailed as a step towards unity but has also faced significant hurdles. Ramaphosa’s comments signal a potential shift to include more parties in the coalition, with the goal of fostering greater cooperation and addressing ongoing policy disagreements.
Key Discussions at the NEC Meeting
The NEC gathering, which ran from 1 to 4 August 2025, brought together the ANC’s top leaders to review the state of the nation and the party’s strategies. As the highest decision-making body between conferences, the NEC delved into a range of topics, with the GNU taking centre stage. Ramaphosa, in his closing remarks, emphasised the need to engage with current GNU partners first before reaching out to others. He stated, “We have agreed to engage with parties that are willing to play a constructive role in furthering national unity and stability. In line with the statement of intent, we will first begin our engagements with the parties currently who are part of the GNU with regards to seeing the extent to which we can expand and advance the GNU objectives.”
This approach aligns with the original statement of intent signed by the 10 parties in the GNU, which includes the ANC, Democratic Alliance (DA), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), and others. The document outlines shared goals like economic growth, job creation, and social justice. However, Ramaphosa acknowledged that the coalition has not been without its problems, describing it as a “valid tactic for stability and progress” despite the “noise” surrounding it. He reassured members that the ANC has managed to protect its core progressive policies, rooted in the National Democratic Revolution, even amid tensions.
Challenges Plaguing the GNU
Since its inception, the GNU has encountered numerous obstacles that have tested its resilience. One of the most severe was the recent national budget crisis, which saw Parliament fail to pass the budget not once, but twice—an unprecedented event in South Africa’s democratic history. This deadlock nearly brought legislative processes to a halt, highlighting deep divisions within the coalition. The crisis stemmed from disagreements over fiscal priorities, including proposed increases in value-added tax (VAT) by 2% and budget cuts in various sectors. Eventually, the budget passed after intense negotiations, with Ramaphosa expressing gratitude to parties that cooperated, noting that it safeguarded essential programmes for the poor and vulnerable.
Policy clashes between the ANC and its largest coalition partner, the DA, have been particularly prominent. The two parties have clashed over the implementation of key reforms, such as the Land Expropriation Act, which aims to address historical land inequalities through expropriation without compensation in certain cases. The DA has strongly opposed this, arguing it could harm investor confidence and property rights, leading to court challenges and heated debates. Similarly, the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, designed to provide universal healthcare, has drawn criticism from the DA for its potential cost and feasibility, with concerns that it might strain the economy further.
Another flashpoint has been the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, which seeks to improve school governance, including language policies and admissions. The DA has resisted aspects of the bill, viewing them as infringing on provincial rights and parental choices, resulting in legal battles and public outcry. Adding to the strain, the DA withdrew from the National Dialogue—a platform meant to foster broader societal discussions—following the dismissal of Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield from his post in the trade and industry portfolio. This incident underscored personal and political frictions within the GNU, with some ANC members even calling for the DA’s removal from the coalition during earlier NEC debates.
Beyond internal GNU issues, external pressures have compounded the challenges. The economy, which Ramaphosa described as being in a “state of emergency,” faces high unemployment, slow growth, and rising debt. The NEC heard reports on strategies to boost beneficiation—processing raw minerals locally to create jobs and add value—rather than exporting them unrefined. This ties into broader efforts to revitalise industries like mining and manufacturing.
Broader Engagements and External Support
In response to these difficulties, the NEC resolved to seek alliances beyond the current GNU members. Ramaphosa indicated that the party would approach opposition groups open to constructive contributions, potentially including those like the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) or uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), though no specific names were mentioned. This expansion is seen as a way to fortify the coalition against future crises and ensure more inclusive decision-making. “We are grateful to all those parties that cooperated with us to have the Budget passed,” Ramaphosa said, hinting at the value of wider support.
The meeting also addressed the ANC’s strained ties with its tripartite alliance partner, the South African Communist Party (SACP). The SACP’s decision to contest the 2026 local government elections independently was a major point of discussion. Ramaphosa expressed concern that this could weaken progressive forces overall, citing a recent by-election in Polokwane where the SACP garnered only 1% of votes. While respecting the SACP’s autonomy, he urged for ongoing dialogue to mend relations, especially after appointing SACP member Buti Manamela as minister of higher education, science, and technology—a gesture of goodwill.
International and Economic Pressures
Global issues loomed large at the meeting, particularly the new 30% tariffs imposed by the United States on South African exports under the Trump administration. Ramaphosa called this a “calamity” for the economy, noting that it affects key sectors like agriculture, automotive, and metals, potentially costing billions in lost revenue. Interestingly, some neighbouring Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, including Zimbabwe, were exempted or hit with lower rates like 15%, prompting discussions on regional strategies to mitigate the impact. Ramaphosa referenced his May 2025 delegation to the US, which included business leaders and DA’s John Steenhuisen, aimed at strengthening trade ties, but admitted it fell short of preventing the tariffs.
The NEC also reflected on South Africa’s role in international forums. With the country set to assume the G20 presidency in 2025, following its successful BRICS chairship in 2023, leaders stressed using these platforms to advocate for the Global South. This includes pushing for reforms in bodies like the United Nations Security Council and addressing conflicts, such as the ongoing crisis in Palestine, where South Africa has taken a firm stance against oppression.
Focus on Local Government and Future Elections
Looking ahead, the NEC turned its attention to the 2026 local government elections, with Ramaphosa issuing a “marching order” to ANC-run municipalities to address service delivery failures urgently. Challenges like water shortages, electricity outages, and corruption have eroded public trust, contributing to the party’s electoral decline. A special NEC session is planned in the coming weeks to tackle these issues head-on, emphasising “extraordinary measures” to improve governance at the grassroots level. Ramaphosa warned senior members to set aside ambitions for the 2027 ANC leadership conference and prioritise on-the-ground work to retain control of key metros like Buffalo City and Mangaung.
Ramaphosa’s Defence of the GNU
Throughout his address, Ramaphosa defended the GNU as the “right move” for South Africa, bringing stability after the 2024 polls where the ANC secured just over 40% of the vote. He highlighted achievements like passing critical legislation and maintaining economic policies focused on transformation. Despite criticism from within the ANC and alliance partners, he argued that the coalition has safeguarded progressive agendas and prevented instability. “The overall picture is that despite all the noise through the GNU we have been able to safeguard the core progressive policy agenda,” he said.
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