Deputy President Paul Mashatile
By Nkosana Khumalo
Deputy President Paul Mashatile will chair the second meeting of the Government of National Unity (GNU) clearing house mechanism on Thursday, 24 October 2024. This comes after the successful inaugural virtual meeting held last week, aimed at resolving policy disagreements within the GNU. The platform, established by President Cyril Ramaphosa, plays a key role in maintaining harmony among the diverse political parties that form the coalition government.
The GNU is made up of 10 political parties, including the African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), Patriotic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Good Party, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC), Freedom Front Plus (FF+), United Democratic Movement (UDM), Al Jama-ah, and Rise Mzansi. Each of these parties signed the Statement of Intent, agreeing to work together on the government’s key priorities: inclusive economic growth, poverty reduction, and building a capable state .
Agenda of the Second Meeting
The upcoming meeting will focus on several important issues, including finalising the terms of reference for the GNU clearing house mechanism. The terms of reference will provide a framework for handling policy disagreements, especially as these may arise frequently within the diverse coalition. Another major topic will be the preparations for South Africa’s G20 Summit presidency next year. The GNU views this as an opportunity to assert the country’s global leadership while fostering domestic unity .
Further discussions will revolve around the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA Act), which has sparked debate among various political factions. The BELA Act contains provisions that impact key education policies, and its resolution is crucial to maintaining the coalition’s unity . Leaders will also tackle challenges at provincial and local government levels, especially in light of recent coalition dynamics in various municipalities across the country .
A Forum for Common Understanding
The GNU clearing house mechanism does not have the power to override Cabinet decisions, as the Executive remains the final authority in the government. However, its role is to foster a common understanding among the parties on critical policy matters, ensuring that disputes are settled before they become disruptive to governance. In addition, a technical committee will be established to process matters of divergence, adding another layer to the dispute resolution mechanism .
The GNU’s success will depend heavily on how well these mechanisms function, as coalition governments are inherently more prone to disagreements. Deputy President Mashatile remains optimistic, stating that the mechanism will strengthen accountability and trust between the parties and the South African public .
What’s at Stake?
The GNU’s ability to maintain cohesion is vital for the stability of South Africa’s government. The coalition’s diverse makeup means that policy disagreements are inevitable, but the clearing house mechanism is seen as a key tool for ensuring that these disagreements are managed constructively. If successful, it will help the coalition last the full five years of its term, which the Presidency has expressed confidence in .
This meeting also marks an important moment in the GNU’s efforts to address concerns at the local government level, where coalition instability has been particularly pronounced. Parties will look at how other countries with coalition governments handle such contradictions to create a model that can work for South Africa .
As the GNU continues to tackle these issues, the outcomes of the second clearing house meeting could set the tone for the coalition’s long-term viability. All eyes will be on the discussions, particularly regarding the BELA Act and the local government challenges, as these are seen as key tests of the GNU’s unity.
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