GNU juggling act: SA enters a new era of national unity

It must be tempting for the 16 ministers entering the Cabinet for the first time to make their mark. 

Several have already made remarks indicating what they plan to do within their departments. 

But at a briefing on Thursday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni was clear policies could not just be implemented.

She told the media before priorities or strategic plans for any department could be set, there must be discussion and agreement at the Cabinet lekgotla, which is scheduled for next week.

Make no mistake: Parties who have entered the GNU might have some teething problems to deal with before the government really gets down to work. And it will be up to President Cyril Ramaphosa to manage any conflict that may arise when Cabinet members seek consensus on issues.

In this week’s Friday Briefing, we examine whether the new government will be able to juggle balls to balance interests. 

We have a submission from the author of How to Unf*ck A Country: Six Things to Reboot South Africa, Roy Havemann. He discusses six priority areas he thinks should be at the top of the list when this Cabinet meets for its first lekgotla. 

The executive director of the Centre for Development and Enterprise, Ann Bernstein, also has a list she thinks the government should consider, if we are going to get out of this quagmire. She writes the GNU has a unique opportunity to turbo-boost reform and build a more prosperous and inclusive South Africa.

Voters’ biggest concern after all the dust settled and the Cabinet had been announced was how it is going to work.

News24’s in-depth writer, Muhammad Hussain, sat down with the University of the Free State’s Dr Harlan Cloete to get a better sense of how the new situation will work with several different parties involved, all with differing ideas. He agrees with Ntshavheni, saying parties do not have a blank cheque to implement whatever policy they want. 

We also have input from the director-general of the National School of Government, Busani Ngcaweni. He breaks down several approaches the GNU can use to ensure the new political arrangement will work. 

Finally, we end with a submission from a global elections consultant, Ben Graham Jones, who reflects on the importance of communication in governing, especially in the situation South Africa is currently in. 

We hope you enjoy the submissions. 

Best, 

Vanessa Banton

Opinions editor.