From left: ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla) | DA Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla) 
In a letter to Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen dated 22 June 2024, African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula proposed that the DA take six Cabinet minister and seven deputy minister positions in the government of national unity (GNU).
The offer marked a critical step in finalising the GNU, which seeks to unite various political parties under a single government framework following the recent general elections, in which the ANC lost its national majority for the first time.
Read more in Daily Maverick: Then there were 10 – unity government hits double digits while talks continue over Cabinet posts
Mbalula emphasised the ANC’s commitment to forming a GNU based on “genuine inclusiveness” and “advancing the national interest” in line with the principles outlined in the Statement of Intent signed by the involved parties.
He said the offer of six ministerial positions was based on “a fair and reasonable manner of determining the number of positions in Cabinet that each party would be appointed” in line with clause 16 of the Statement of Intent.
The ANC wants to move away from the DA’s initial proposal to allocate Cabinet positions strictly based on the proportionality of seats each party has within the GNU, suggesting that such an approach would limit accountability to the National Assembly.
Instead, the ANC suggests Cabinet representation should reflect the electoral mandate of each party, aligning with their share of seats in the whole National Assembly. The ANC has not responded to requests to comment on its proposals.
Mbalula’s letter to Steenhuisen said that minister and deputy minister positions for the ANC, IFP and smaller parties would be determined following further consultations.
The ANC also proposes integrating positions within the National Council of Provinces as part of the GNU cooperation, reflecting the ANC’s majority in this body.
DA’s response and demands
In response, DA Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille outlined the party’s conditions for joining the GNU in a letter dated 23 June 2024. Zille emphasised that the DA’s decision to join the GNU hinged on its ability to effect substantial change and not merely occupy positions of power.
Zille said the DA’s proposed distribution of Cabinet seats was a clear and fair way to implement clause 16 of the Statement of Intent.
“It is obvious that the distribution of positions in the Cabinet can only start with a consideration of the relative electoral size of the parties participating in government. Governments, by definition, are made up of parties participating in government. They are not made up of parties in opposition – that is what Parliament is for,” she said.
The DA’s demands include:
- The position of deputy president or, alternatively, a minister in the Presidency with significant policy and budgetary oversight roles, and a deputy minister of finance.
- Representation across all Cabinet clusters, with preferred portfolios in economic, social, governance, justice, and international sectors specified. Zille noted 11 “preferred” portfolios across the various clusters.
- Appointment of deputy ministers in corresponding departments where they have ministers, with the exception of a sole deputy minister role in finance.
- Influence over the selection of directors general (DGs) in their departments, ensuring appointments align with DA’s governance principles.
- A review of all tenders issued since the election announcement in departments reporting to DA ministers.
- Establishment of a technical “clearing house” for resolving policy disputes within the GNU, aiming for consensus or, if necessary, resolution by the President and DA leader Steenhuisen.
Zille said the DA would also require that the DGs in departments reporting to DA ministers be selected by panels consisting of DA ministers, which would be submitted to the President for his approval “and that such approval cannot reasonably be withheld”.
“The contracts of all current DGs would also need to be reconsidered in light of our concern that incumbents may not be amenable to direction from Democratic Alliance ministers, especially given the ANC’s cadre deployment policy.”
“It is obviously not possible to effect change in a context where recent decisions by the previous government are rendered irreversible,” said Zille.
The DA also wants a technical “clearing house” to be established, consisting of a representative from each participating party, with a mandate to resolve differences over policy and other decisions of government by consensus, before they become a source of conflict in the Cabinet.
Intractable issues would be resolved by Ramaphosa and Steenhuisen.
Zille stressed that the DA’s participation in provincial governments in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal was contingent upon their involvement at the national level.
Negotiations ongoing
The DA did not respond to questions about its demands. DA national spokesperson Solly Malatsi said the DA remained committed to the Statement of Intent.
“The purpose of our negotiations now is to give expression to that statement so that we are able to make a positive impact on the lives of South Africans. We obviously cannot enter a government if we do not have the means to effect positive change. We are hopeful that we can reach a satisfactory agreement with the ANC.”
Negotiations between the ANC and DA continued over the weekend, with the outcomes of their Monday meeting still pending.
Read more in Daily Maverick: The GNU must put people’s interests first, not tussles over positions or party squabbles
In a statement on Monday, the ANC said it “notes with concern that some parties have been making outrageous demands for specific Cabinet positions in the media.
“Negotiating through leaking demands to the media is an act of bad faith and this practice will not help the cause of any party.”
The ANC reiterated that the final decision on Cabinet appointments lies with Ramaphosa and that the GNU must not be “held to ransom by any single party”.
The party highlighted the urgency of establishing a functional government to address the country’s needs promptly. DM