The formation of a Government of National Unity (GNU) in 2024 is a crucial turning point, and unfortunately, it has already shown signs of being a fatal political misstep. In contrast to past efforts to unify the nation, this latest coalition has strengthened the Democratic Alliance (DA), a party with deep historical ties to South Africa's apartheid-era system. The decision to enter into this GNU with the DA, a right-wing political force, risks undoing decades of struggle for equality and social justice.
The GNU arrangement accelerated the DA's growth from a minor opposition party to a dominant political force in South Africa. By entering into government with the DA, the African National Congress (ANC) has inadvertently handed over power to a party that has historically worked against the principles of non-racialism, economic justice, and the welfare of black South Africans. This political miscalculation has empowered the DA, allowing them to operate with more political legitimacy and an increased national presence. As a result, within 7 to 8 months of the GNU being formed, the DA has made alarming strides in undermining the ANC’s political control, especially in key urban centres like Tshwane and Johannesburg. These cities, once strongholds for the ANC, are now slipping away as the DA runs a parallel government, with the backing of external forces, notably the United States and international corporate interests.
The DA and its allies like Afriforum and Solidarity have taken full advantage of the situation to advance its agenda. This coalition of right-wing forces is not just critiquing government policies; it is actively manufacturing a political crisis by disseminating misinformation and disinformation. Through strategic media campaigns and public narratives, they have worked to paint the ANC as corrupt and ineffective, framing themselves as the alternative government in waiting. Their rhetoric and actions often target vulnerable black communities, amplifying frustrations with service delivery while ignoring the historical and systemic inequities that continue to plague South Africa.
These coordinated campaigns are designed to erode public trust in the ANC, painting them as the architects of South Africa’s supposed decline while positioning the DA as a more competent governing alternative. One of the most alarming aspects of this new political reality is the emergence of a worrying narrative: the potential return of capital rule. Though the era of formal apartheid ended over three decades ago, the rise of the DA and their allies signals the dangerous possibility that the country could veer back towards a political order that favours capital economic dominance and political control.
The DA’s alignment with powerful corporate interests and its neoliberal economic policies are causing concern that South Africa’s democratic experiment may be at risk. Their platform of privatization, austerity, and deregulation directly contrasts with the progressive policies that have been central to the ANC’s post-apartheid government.
Moreover, international dynamics play a significant role in the current situation. The United States, for instance, has openly expressed support for the DA and its push for regime change in South Africa. This support is not just diplomatic but material, as Western economic and political forces have increasingly aligned themselves with the DA's free-market agenda. The influx of foreign investments and the involvement of international stakeholders in South Africa's political transition further entrench the DA’s position and undermine the sovereignty of South Africa’s democracy. This is not simply an internal struggle for political power; it is part of a broader geopolitical effort to reshape South Africa’s future to fit the interests of global capital, often at the expense of the country’s poor and working-class citizens.
This reality is dangerous for the very fabric of South Africa’s hard-won democracy. The GNU was supposed to be an olive branch to unite a divided country. Instead, it has opened the door for the DA to erode the progressive changes that the ANC worked so tirelessly to implement. In many ways, the DA is now positioned to steer South Africa back into the orbit of a post-apartheid order that benefits the wealthy and white minority, leaving the majority of South Africans—particularly black citizens— further marginalised. So, how do we move forward? The current political trajectory poses a grave threat to the future of South Africa, especially in the critical upcoming local government elections.
Once a symbol of liberation and hope, the ANC now faces the stark challenge of rejuvenating itself and responding to a rapidly changing political environment. The party must return to its roots of social justice, economic empowerment, and equality for all South Africans, regardless of race or class. Moreover, the people of South Africa must be vigilant, resist the growing tide of misinformation, and safeguard the democratic gains that have been achieved. The time is now for the people of South Africa to reclaim the promise of 1994.
The GNU was a costly mistake, but reversing course is not too late. Our democracy is still young, but it remains fragile. If we allow the DA and its allies to succeed in their mission, South Africa risks losing the freedoms many fought and died for. The struggle for a just, democratic, and non-racial South Africa is far from over, and now more than ever, the nation must unite to protect the hard-fought gains of our past. The forces of reaction are strong, but the spirit of the people is stronger—let us not squander our future in the face of such perilous political games.
*Mayalo is an independent writer, analyst, and commentator
**The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those or Independent Media or IOL.