South Africa’s fragile coalition government suffered another setback over the weekend after the Democratic Alliance (DA), the second-largest party in the ruling unity coalition, announced its withdrawal from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s national dialogue initiative.
The DA’s decision adds pressure to the year-old Government of National Unity (GNU), formed after the African National Congress (ANC) failed to secure a majority in the historic June 2024 elections. The GNU, seen as a compromise effort to stabilise the country’s political direction, has increasingly been rocked by internal tensions, policy disagreements, and accusations of mismanagement.
DA leader John Steenhuisen dismissed the national dialogue an initiative led by President Ramaphosa to tackle issues such as economic inequality, governance reform, and social cohesion as a “waste of time and money.” He accused the president of ignoring rampant corruption and failing to hold ministers accountable.
“Nothing will change in South Africa for the better if we keep the same people around the cabinet table who have involved themselves in corruption,” Steenhuisen said, signalling deep frustrations with the ANC’s continued dominance in key government roles.
The situation was further exacerbated by the dismissal of DA minister Andrew Whitfield this week, reportedly due to an unauthorised international trip. The presidency confirmed the sacking, which has intensified speculation of growing mistrust within the coalition ranks.
Since its formation, the GNU has struggled to present a unified front, often divided over key policy areas such as the national budget and the future of black empowerment legislation. The DA has long pushed for economic reforms that de-emphasise race-based policies, putting it at odds with the ANC’s more traditional stance.
Political analysts warn that the DA’s exit from the national dialogue may foreshadow a larger breakdown in the GNU. If the coalition continues to fragment, South Africa may face renewed political instability at a time when it desperately needs decisive leadership to address unemployment, crime, and a sluggish economy.
The ANC and President Ramaphosa have yet to issue a detailed response to the DA’s withdrawal, but the move marks a significant blow to hopes of collaborative governance in South Africa’s new political era.
