GNU Leaders
By Thabo Mosia
The leaders of the 10 political parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU) concluded a two-day retreat at the Cradle of Humankind in Gauteng on Monday, reviewing progress and addressing key national issues. The meeting was attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, and leaders of the ANC, DA, IFP, Patriotic Alliance, FF Plus, UDM, UDM, Rise Mzansi, Al Jama-Ah, PAC and GOOD. According to a joint statement, the leaders agreed that the GNU remains united and committed to implementing the priorities outlined in the Statement of Intent signed 16 months ago. However, they acknowledged operational challenges during the 2025 budget process and said lessons had been learned to improve consultation on fiscal planning.
The retreat, held in a secretive manner to allow for candid discussions, focused on strengthening the coalition amid ongoing efforts to stabilise the economy and address social challenges. This comes at a time when South Africa grapples with high unemployment, poverty, and service delivery issues, making the GNU’s unity crucial for national progress.
Reaffirming Unity and Commitment to the Statement of Intent
The joint statement emphasised that the GNU is “united and committed” to its founding principles, despite some internal tensions. The leaders reviewed achievements since the coalition’s formation, including economic reforms in energy, logistics, telecommunications, water, and visa systems; infrastructure maintenance and expansion; public employment programmes for young people; continued social support for poor households; and efforts to maintain macroeconomic stability and reduce public debt. They also noted progress in rebuilding law enforcement institutions and removing South Africa from the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list.
Party leaders declared the coalition to be strong, dismissing any notions of division. The retreat provided a platform to reflect on the GNU’s state and plan for the future, ensuring alignment on shared goals.
Addressing Budget Challenges and Learning Lessons
One key admission was the operational hurdles faced during the 2025 budget process. The leaders acknowledged these issues but highlighted that valuable lessons have been learned to enhance future consultations on fiscal planning. This transparency aims to improve coordination among the diverse parties, ensuring smoother implementation of policies that affect all South Africans.
Focus on Core Priorities for National Development
The GNU said its focus remains on unemployment, poverty, the cost of living, crime, corruption and service delivery. The parties reaffirmed support for the Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP), which is being implemented as the central programme of the administration. “In the first nine months, we received just over 1 million new visitors, which means that on average we’ve received around 120,000 new visitors every month,” noted one leader on economic influx, though this seems unrelated but underscores growth efforts.
The leaders agreed to prioritise several areas, including the professionalisation of public services, food security measures, expanded youth work and skills programmes, coordinated action against organised crime, leadership appointments in the criminal justice sector, improved intervention in failing municipalities, strengthened border management, and oversight of state-owned entities.
They also discussed South Africa’s international relations and preparations for the country’s G20 presidency. The leaders noted ongoing work to establish local and national dialogues under the National Dialogue process.
Emphasis on Urgency and Action
The statement said the GNU remains focused on “urgency and action” to meet the needs of South Africans. This retreat, the first of its kind since the GNU’s formation, signals a proactive approach to governance, with leaders committed to turning challenges into opportunities for growth.
As South Africa moves forward, the GNU’s unity will be tested by upcoming budgets and elections. For now, the retreat’s outcomes offer hope for collaborative progress in tackling the nation’s pressing issues. The full joint statement is available on the Presidency’s website for more details.
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