The false notion that Deputy President Paul Mashatile has suddenly found his voice and passion in expressing his supposed disdain for the DA after its vote against the fiscal framework in parliament should be rejected.
It is well documented that the DA voted against the fiscal framework after President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed a cabinet committee led by the deputy president, which has been able to negotiate the proposed VAT increase down to 0.5 percentage points from the initial 2 percentage points proposed by the National Treasury. Instead of negotiating on the budget, they have merely suggested that the president reverse his decisions on issues such as the Bela Act, NHI, the Expropriation Act and the BBBEE funding proposed by the minister of trade and industry.
Mashatile correctly suggested that if the DA does not support the budget, they are defining themselves outside of the government of national unity (GNU). The DA's vote against the fiscal framework and their failure to engage in good faith can be interpreted as a violation of the GNU's modality, which mandates that all parties in the GNU collaborate in pursuit of shared objectives through executive and/or legislative activities.
Without the budget being passed the country cannot function, which undermines the provision of services to people. The act by the DA is an act of defiance of the government of which they are a part. I thus agree with the deputy president’s expressed sentiments, that “if they (DA) don’t support the budget, they don’t deserve to be in the GNU. It doesn’t mean the end of the GNU”.
Those who voted for the fiscal framework in parliament must consolidate and extend an invitation to other parties to join forces to govern and deliver services on behalf of those who voted for them.
South Africa, 30 years later, finds itself on a path of rebuilding and renewal from the gains of those who fought for our liberation. This pivotal moment in our country provides us with an opportunity to self-introspect, reflect and chart a way forward.
During the transition to a democratic South Africa the country faced numerous challenges and opposition, particularly from those opposed to change. The Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) stormed the Kempton Park World Trade Centre in 1993 during Codesa negotiations, overshadowing negotiations for minorities' rights. The behaviour of the DA is therefore not a new phenomenon but is repeated behaviour by those who are not committed to our democracy.
In 2023, Mashatile, in his capacity as the leader of government business, convened the national dialogue on coalition governments, focusing on local government. The dialogue aimed at reaching consensus on a framework that governs coalitions at national, provincial, and local government levels.
It was also aimed at appreciating existing domestic and global experiences of coalition governments, as well as developing an administrative interface that can support coalition governments in the South African context.
Under the leadership of Ramaphosa, the deputy president has demonstrated that he wants the GNU to work. He never opposed the idea of the DA joining the ANC in national government to provide leadership and service delivery to our people, as this was a call to all parties. As per the delegated responsibilities assigned to him, Mashatile has, together with all ministers and deputy ministers, including members of the DA, worked tirelessly to ensure that the government leaves no one behind, including on finding a solution to the VAT issue.
Therefore, the deputy president is well within his rights to express his views on the DA’s sinister intentions to use the VAT debate as a tool to discredit the efforts made by those concerned for the interests of the country and its people.
Mashatile remains committed to playing a constructive and meaningful role in building a nonracial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society. Anything contrary to that, including the well-co-ordinated propaganda in the media and by the DA against him, should be dismissed.
— Mduduzi Mbada, office of the deputy president
Businesspeople are citizens too
President Ramaphosa says he cannot be dictated to by the business community. I thought anyone who becomes president does so through the will of citizens. Mr President please note, the business community is made up of citizens.
Citizens not only vote you into your position but it is their tax money that funds all government activities. The business community pays the bulk of what is collected from citizens as tax.
Citizens are obligated to raise issues that may impact negatively on their ability to make a living or stifle their life’s pursuits. The concerns of citizens should be the priority of government. Citizens to do not bully a government, they hold it to account
The deputy president says he does not understand why ministers continue to serve the people when they voted against the budget. He forgets (or is not aware) that keeping the cost of living at a minimum for citizens (by voting against the raising of VAT) is in itself service to citizens.
He clearly has no idea what being in government means. He thinks being in government is only about enjoying the perks attached thereto.
— Dr Kenosi Mosalakae
DA is entitled to be proud
I always enjoy reading Barney Mthombothi's articles, as they are nearly always spot on. However, I have to take issue with him on his article last Sunday.
He says the DA has been an awkward partner in the GNU. He says there is nothing endearing about its over confidence, seen as arrogance, about its instant mastery of its cabinet portfolios, or about its political showboating through parading its achievements and the iniquities it exposes in government.
I have to disagree. I, as a DA supporter, like to know how my MPs are doing, and by all accounts they are doing extremely well in the GNU. Why should one not let the people know what is going on? Why should their achievements not be lauded after years of mismanagement and corruption? Take home affairs as a good example.
I want to know the iniquities of the ANC, and as we know there are many. Why should the DA not expose the ANC when it is failing on most counts? I will always give credit where credit is due, but let’s be honest, the ANC can’t hold its head up over the last 30 years.
Everything they have touched has crumbled. But they still have the arrogance of not letting their biggest partner in the GNU into their confidence. Take the budget debate. There was no interaction with the DA and the ANC rode roughshod over them even though they are in the GNU. Not very fair, is it? Sadly, the ANC only think of the party and not of the country.
— Barbie Sandler, Constantia
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.