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Power without the DA - here’s a possible new Government of National Unity

As the DA finds itself on the wrong side of a budgetary brawl, the spectre of a GNU 2.0 looms large.
Power without the DA - here’s a possible new Government of National Unity Illustrative image: Songezo Zibi of Rise Mzansi. (Photo: Phando Jikelo / RSA Parliament) | Mmusi Maimane of Bosa. (Photo: Phando Jikelo / RSA Parliament) | The IFP's Velenkosini Hlabisa. (Photo: Gallo Images / Lee Warren) | President Cyril Ramaphosa. (Photo: Simon Dawson / Bloomberg via Getty Images) | Gayton McKenzie of the PA. (Photo: Phando Jikelo / RSA Parliament) | ActionSA's Herman Mashaba. (Photo: Frennie Shivambu / Gallo Images)

In August 2024, Joel Netshitenzhe, the executive director of the think-tank Mistra (the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection), anticipated the scenario that has now unfolded at Parliament.

His numbers show that without the DA, a Government of National Unity (GNU) would result in a 50-50 outcome with half of elected parties in a power-sharing government and the rest outside. Daily Maverick has added ActionSA and Mmusi Maimane’s Bosa as possible participants in the GNU, given their support to get the first of three legal measures approved to pass the Budget. 

This is a possible early scenario of a GNU 2.0 should the DA quit or be pushed out.

The Presidency has nudged the party out, saying “You can’t be part of a government whose Budget you did not approve,” as this report shows.

Read more: GNU 2.0 loading — ‘You can’t be part of a government whose Budget you opposed,’ says Presidency

Suné Payne reported here on the rapid-fire political fallout and the DA’s urgent approach to the Western Cape Division of the High Court.

In her founding affidavit to the court, the DA’s Helen Zille has asked it to temporarily interdict the implementation of the 0.5 percentage point VAT hike on 1 May 2025 in an action being brought against Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana, SA Revenue Service (Sars) Commissioner Edward Kieswetter and Parliament.

In addition, the DA wants a section of the VAT Act declared invalid and unconstitutional as it does not anticipate or provide for sufficient parliamentary scrutiny under the principle of “no taxation without representation”. 

The party also wants the court to declare proceedings in the legislature on 2 April as unlawful and invalid, and to interdict the Sars commissioner from collecting the tax.

What does this mean for you?

 All we can say is “hold tight” and keep following Daily Maverick. DM

Comments (10)

Pet Bug Apr 4, 2025, 07:42 AM

Will be interesting on which side the FF+ falls. If they leave, then the GNU2 won’t make it. But without FF+, EFF might join with their 39 seats. Then all bets are off.

megapode Apr 4, 2025, 08:56 AM

FF+ are not involved in the ANC/DA stand off. They'd be smart to stay where they are with the cabinet position they have, wield what influence they can, show what they can do in the world of real politics. By the same token the DA would do well to stay in the GNU, but their rhetoric is far more belligerent, which makes it harder for both sides.

Paddy Ross Apr 4, 2025, 10:47 AM

The DA should sit tight within the GNU. The electorate seems to be beginning to realise that the DA are in this for the benefit of all South Africans whereas it is 'same old, same old' with the ANC. It will do the ANC even more electoral harm if they try to force the DA out of the GNU.

Gronum Smith Apr 4, 2025, 11:31 AM

Agree 100!

Alison Joubert Apr 4, 2025, 01:51 PM

I agree that DA should stay in the GNU. But... Why are they so belligerent? What do they think that achieves? To me all they achieve is annoying and alienating the rest of the GNU, to the detriment of South Africa.

Willem Boshoff Apr 4, 2025, 08:31 AM

Seeing that the best performing ministries are heavily weighted towards the DA, I would expect any serious analysis to consider the political and economic slide back into wholesale incompetence. The markets will tell us the truth, though. Hard times ahead and very hard times if the DA leaves the GNU.

MT Wessels Apr 4, 2025, 12:08 PM

I agree with your conclusion, but let's not get carried away by the portfolios of Home Affairs or Agriculture. No matter how efficient the DA manages those, the ANC controls the money, mining & energy, police, health, and foreign affairs. There lies the power.

Michele Rivarola Apr 4, 2025, 09:15 AM

The proof will be the borrowing premium that will placed on SA bonds and the losses in the job market once AGOA is scrapped and the tariffs start kicking in. As much as one sounds like a sadist not even reality will change the obtuse thinking of some politicians who have no understanding of the ministries they are supposedly responsible for. Sarupen's interview with Haffajee should clear any doubts as to why this budget could not be acccepted by any sane thinking person.

dp@daniellecamera.co.za Apr 4, 2025, 09:54 AM

We vote, but our vote clearly means nothing...politicians on all sides do what they want! Feeling utterly frustrated and rather hopeless at this point. Cry our beloved country!

Rae Earl Apr 4, 2025, 11:45 AM

The whole concept of assembling this mob as a proposed alternative GNU is fraught with problems which would destroy it within a few months. Imagine to factionalism, the vying for seats and positions, the never ending back biting and in-fighting that would ensue. Worth a laugh but hugely tragic for SA if it actually happened.

Fanie Rajesh Ngabiso Apr 4, 2025, 02:57 PM

The DA's primary failing? It is too good for this ANC criminal rich farce of a government. (but the obvious will get wrapped up in the easy race hate blanket as always ...for subscribers to this dimwitted racist thinking, I defer to @kanu-sukha)

Johan Herholdt Apr 4, 2025, 02:59 PM

The ministries occupied by the DA have already shown their mettle (maybe not Agriculture) and, of course, the ANC will try to get rid of them not to be shown up for the utter failures most of their incumbents are - never mind the criminals parading as ministers.

Sandra Goldberg Apr 4, 2025, 05:32 PM

Will Cyril Ramsphosa listen to Business who wants the DA to stay in the GNU, or to his cadre comrades who want the party gone. even though( or probably because) the latest Brenthurst report shows 60% more respondents approve of the GNU than the stand alone ANC government

Arnold O Managra Apr 5, 2025, 12:24 AM

I suspect that the DA voters are providing the majority of SA's income tax. DA voters are mostly middle-class urban denizens. The ANC's voters are potential MK voters - rural or urban unemployed or living wage line. At some stage the Tea Party revolt will happen in SA. Taxation without representation is not obviously beneficial. Taxation with no obvious benefit - water, electricity, infrastructure is even worse. Tax revolt is imminent. Google Tea Party

A Rosebank Ratepayer Apr 5, 2025, 04:40 AM

Don’t understand table - surely DA should be moved to 3rd column to be aligned with the article’s heading? That will leave 208 seats in GNU with the addition of Action SA and Rise Mzansi.