Smaller parties in the GNU are buoyant about its prospects, not only for the next 100 days but for five years of solid multiparty government.
“The first 100 days have been challenging but incredibly rewarding,” said FF+ leader Pieter Groenewald, who is also the minister of correctional services. “The GNU has hit the ground running and though some were sceptical about its inception, it has managed to stay solid.”
Groenewald said the GNU is representative of the broader South African society, and decision-making is now much more consultative than it has been in the past 30 years. Politically, this has instilled hope for the country's future by proving that multiparty governments are the future and that the GNU is committed to building a better South Africa.
Groenewald pointed out that parliament was also functioning much better with chairs of committees appointed from various political parties.
Economically, Groenewald said, the markets had responded very well to the GNU. “International investment has grown, and South Africa is received well on the international stage.
“Service delivery is paramount for economic growth, and I believe we have already, in the first 100 days, improved basic service delivery in various portfolios,” he said.
On whether the GNU could hold for another 100 days: “Politics is the art of uncertainty. The GNU comprises various political parties with different policy stances, which might create tensions and not be sustainable.
It’s cold outside, it’s nice inside. The GNU is working, we are happy, President Ramaphosa is leading us
— Gayton McKenzie, PA minister of sports, arts and culture
“Still, we have to, for the sake of South Africa and its people, give it our best shot. We have to do the work while it lasts and it might last for the duration of this five-year term. South Africans want it, need it, to hold and to work.”
Groenewald said his party is committed to making the GNU hold and to restore and build South Africa for the benefit of all.
“A positive aspect thus far has been that we can sit around the table to discuss what matters most to our constituents. One has to have a seat at the table to be able to give one's inputs.
“We believe that better consultative structures where differences can be discussed, such as a political council of the GNU, is overdue and should be established sooner rather than later.”
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa, who is one of two deputy ministers of defence, has commended Ramaphosa’s inclusive leadership style for minimising unnecessary tensions. “Everyone has an opportunity to raise issues. You can’t go outside to complain because everyone is given a chance to voice their view.”
Holomisa said Ramaphosa, apart from convening full cabinet meetings, also convened cabinet committee meetings which were attended by deputy ministers and directors-general.
These had been “very educative and informative”.
He said Ramaphosa had made it clear that the focus of the GNU was the National Development Plan, which was endorsed by all parties as the government’s guide because it would take time to formulate new policies.
Holomisa commended GNU parties and their leaders for their maturity and how they were working well with the senior government officials and directors-general they found in their respective offices.
“It means they listened to my advice at the lekgotla that the main threat to the GNU would be the undermining of officials and DGs who are already in their positions. Instead, we should protect them and continue with the programme. Removing people would be a perpetuation of instability.”
While Holomisa, a retired army general, feels at home in defence and said he was “happy” with the GNU, he added: “The only problem is I feel like I am now working way more than I did when I led the Transkei. Defence is like a government within a government; the navy, the army, the air force, medical services, each with its own professions and equipment.”
The PA's Gayton McKenzie believes Ramaphosa is the glue that holds the GNU together. The outspoken minister of sports, arts and culture has repeatedly spoken about his happiness with the GNU and his own cabinet appointment.
Introducing Ramaphosa during Friday’s ceremony on the return of the remains of exiled freedom fighters, he said: “During the elections we fought each other and today we agree on one thing — that you are the glue of this GNU.”
In humorous fashion, McKenzie delivered a solid vote of confidence in the GNU and Ramaphosa as its leader. He advised Ramaphosa to ignore those who opposed the GNU, including within the ANC.
“They don’t understand, the GNU is going to last for five years. We are going nowhere as the GNU. The country is happy, it is nice in the GNU.
“Let them talk. It’s cold outside, it’s nice inside. The GNU is working, we are happy, President Ramaphosa is leading us.”
