This week’s historic elections, in which the ANC lost its parliamentary majority, will force the party to consider a coalition with either the market-friendly DA, the left-wing EFF or the radical MK Party.
On Saturday the decision was taken at a meeting of top leadership that the ANC will go shopping for partners to help it form a government by selling the idea of government of national unity (GNU) to those headed for parliament.
The ANC will tell potential partners that President Cyril Ramaphosa will remain in the Union Buildings and his removal is not up for discussion.
The GNU option is perceived as an attempt by the ANC to manage the process of forming a government and avoid the backlash that would come with choosing between the DA and the MK Party and EFF.
Business groups have sounded the alarm that any move by the ANC to enter a coalition with the EFF or MK Party would be anathema to the investor community.
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