SACP's desperate campaign

During 2024 coalition negotiations, SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila campaigned intensely against any ANC deal with the DA, seeking common hatred of the blue party to prevent the arrangement.

EFF and Zuma make demands

The EFF, with less than ten percent of the national vote, demanded heavyweight portfolios including finance. Jacob Zuma's party insisted the ANC drop Cyril Ramaphosa as presidential candidate.

Mbalula builds the deal

While Mapaila campaigned against it, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula's official team negotiated a realistic deal with the DA as the second-most important player in the ten-party Statement of Intent.

SACP sees neoliberal conspiracy

The SACP condemned the deal as a construct of right-wing, DA-led anti-ANC neoliberal forces trying to stymie the National Democratic Revolution and capture the ANC.

“The core of the DA-led neoliberal forces, highly supported by dominant sections of capital, mainly the white bourgeoisie whose roots can be traced to the era of colonial and apartheid oppression of the black majority, organised itself into the so-called multi-party charter.”

Mapaila calls it betrayal

After failing to stop the GNU, Solly Mapaila continued mobilising against it within the ANC, calling it the highest form of betrayal of the people.

“the highest form of betrayal of our people”

GNU survives early tests

The GNU survived because both parties needed it badly. Notable scares included the Finance Minister's Budget speech in twenty twenty-five, which was only read on the third attempt.

Court challenges and disputes

The DA continued court challenges to contested legislation the ANC rammed through as parliamentary majority. Stark differences emerged over foreign policy, which the DA wanted as a GNU product but the ANC kept.

NGC approves tactical intervention

At the December twenty twenty-five reflective conference, the ANC's National General Council deemed the GNU an unavoidable tactical intervention necessary for national unity, stability and containing the DA within the tent.

Election heat reignites hostility

During the twenty twenty-six local government election campaign, historical antipathy between the rivals deepened. The DA highlighted ANC failures at local level while the ANC called the DA racist and white-interest focused.

Pressure to expel the DA

Pressure grew within the ANC and Tripartite Alliance to kick the DA out of the GNU. But the ANC, at forty percent, cannot unilaterally end an arrangement born from losing outright power.

Cosatu rejects the GNU

Newly elected Cosatu General Secretary Zingiswa Losi read a resolution affirming the rejection of a GNU inclusive of right-wing political parties and their neoliberal austerity agenda.

Mbalula threatens review

After the ANC won a Constitutional Court case against the IEC, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said the ANC would review the DA's GNU participation because the DA joined as amicus curiae.

“there's nothing that binds us forever with the DA”

Youth League calls for firings

ANC Youth League president Collen Malatji called for Ramaphosa to immediately fire all DA ministers, adding to pressure on the GNU arrangement.

Ramaphosa holds the line

Ramaphosa brushed away anti-GNU sentiment by stating firmly that the reasons partners came together in twenty twenty-four still pertain, reminding all they are different parties with different policies and ideologies.

“we are different parties with different policies, different ideologies, different histories…and we are in the main, contestants”

Gauteng rejected DA in twenty twenty-four

In twenty twenty-four, the ANC's Gauteng leadership defied national party and rejected a deal with the DA, viewing it as a sell-out option. Attitudes have hardened since then.

Joburg's economic importance

Johannesburg, the nation's economic engine, has teetered on the brink of financial and infrastructural collapse. If Joburg fails, South Africa pays, making it Ramaphosa's biggest test since taking office.

“If Joburg fails, SA pays”

Ramaphosa's Johannesburg dilemma

If the DA emerges as the biggest party in Johannesburg, can Ramaphosa compel provincial and regional leaders to accept a secondary role? Sharing power with Helen Zille will be different from past arrangements.

The blue pill choice ahead

National leaders have pointed out the blue pill is one the ANC might have to swallow. If Ramaphosa chooses another path, ActionSA, the IFP and smaller players will not be enough to reach fifty-plus percent.