Cape Town – Cracks are beginning to show within South Africa's Government of National Unity (GNU) as President Cyril Ramaphosa publicly lashed out at Democratic Alliance (DA) ministers for claiming government successes as their own and firmly rejected calls to dismantle Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policies. The tense exchange unfolded in the National Assembly yesterday, highlighting the deep ideological divides that persist despite the formation of the coalition government.
Ramaphosa's sharp rebuke came during his response to the State of the Nation Address (Sona) debate, which saw DA ministers and MPs taking credit for achievements in various portfolios, including agriculture, home affairs, communications, basic education, and public works.
"In cabinet, there are no parties. There are no ANC, DA, IFP, PA, UDM, GOOD, FF-Plus or Al Jama-ah ministers," Ramaphosa declared, drawing applause from most MPs, excluding those from the DA. "So no minister or deputy minister should publicly claim their work in the GNU as an achievement of their party. In many cases the basis for their achievements were laid before they even came into office. And in many cases they will also realise their objectives will be the work that we do together. Our successes and achievements are the achievements of a collective by the same measure; we are collectively responsible for our mistakes and our shortcomings. It is our commitment to the principle of partnership and shared responsibility that has made the GNU to work."
The President's strongest words were reserved for the DA and Freedom Front Plus's persistent calls to scrap B-BBEE legislation. The DA has even tabled the "Economic Inclusion for All Bill" in parliament, arguing that B-BBEE primarily benefits politically connected elites. Ramaphosa, visibly impassioned, stated that any push to abandon B-BBEE "touched a very raw nerve" in him, given his history as a trade unionist fighting against unfair labour practices in the mining sector during the apartheid era.
"Now is not the time to abandon black economic empowerment. Now is the time to make it even more effective," Ramaphosa asserted. "We should all be working together to make sure we rid our country of the injustices of the past. So we must see black economic empowerment not as a cost to the economy but as an investment to the sustainable growth of our economy, and that is why I announced in the Sona we are undertaking a review of the B-BBEE framework [so] it supports greater transformation and inclusive growth."
The President's staunch defence of B-BBEE comes at a time when the policy is facing increasing scrutiny. Critics argue that it has been plagued by corruption and has failed to meaningfully address economic inequality. However, supporters maintain that it remains a crucial tool for redressing the historical injustices of apartheid and promoting black participation in the economy. Recent reports from organisations such as the Institute for Race Relations have highlighted the complexities of B-BBEE and the need for reforms to ensure its effectiveness and prevent abuse.
In response to Ramaphosa's speech, DA leader John Steenhuisen issued a statement reaffirming his party's commitment to the GNU but vowing to remain steadfast in its pursuit of reform. "The DA remains committed to the government of national unity because it is helping to stabilise South Africa after years of governance failure, and because it serves as a bulwark against instability and extremist policy alternatives. But participation in the GNU does not mean passive support. It means driving reform from within, fighting corruption, and holding the executive accountable where urgency is lacking."
The clash over B-BBEE underscores the inherent tensions within the GNU, which brings together parties with vastly different ideologies and policy priorities. While the coalition has been lauded for its potential to foster stability and consensus, the divergent views on key issues such as economic transformation pose a significant challenge to its long-term viability. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the GNU can overcome these divisions and deliver on its promises to the South African people. Similar coalition governments in other African nations, such as Kenya and Zimbabwe, have faced similar challenges, often struggling to reconcile competing interests and maintain unity in the face of ideological differences.
