The DA’s change of heart about the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act without any compromise from the ANC should have made everything clearer: the DA has been locked in.
The blue party initially kicked up a fierce storm, putting their role in the government of national unity (GNU) in question — but then made an about-turn and supported the act without any change to its substance. The justification was that it was going to be the DA minister responsible for basic education, Siviwe Gwarube, who would put together the regulations to support the implementation of the act.
Last week the DA again kicked up a storm about President Cyril Ramaphosa signing the new Expropriation Act, which brought the legislation in line with the constitution. Ramaphosa also dared them to walk away from the GNU over the Expropriation Act. They didn’t, saying they would challenge it in court.
Ramaphosa is still going to dare the DA to walk away from the GNU over the National Health Insurance (NHI) legislation. Again, froth will form in their mouths, the decibels will go through the roof. But little will be done.
At a DA federal council meeting only the Gauteng DA suggested senior leaders reconsider their participation in the GNU, but they were quickly shot down by party leader John Steenhuisen. It seems the allure of the hallowed halls of power is intoxicating. The DA knows, as we all do, that the day they leave the GNU is the day Ramaphosa reluctantly runs into the arms of his former comrades in the MK Party and the EFF. The so-called “doomsday coalition” will get a lifeline.
Placated by the long-dangled carrot of ministerial positions, it seems the DA's hands (and legs) are tied. It will continue to bark but never act in a way that would threaten the GNU. Ramaphosa has the party right where he needs it: demobilised into inaction.
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