…The ANC’s Ramaphosa was forced into the GNU arrangement after his party lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994 in the May 2024 general elections
…The EFF is convinced that the ANC ”has solidified its role as an instrument of white supremacy, and domestic and global capital on the continent
MON JULY 01 2024-theGBJournal| The African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) coalition is a rare example of cross-political co-operation in Africa’s political landscape.
Together, they have altered South Africa’s political arrangement. They both are going to run South Africa for the next 5 years under a National unity government or GNU.
South Africa’s rand strengthened in early trade Monday after the cabinet announcement.
But President Cyril Ramaphosa, the DA, and their newly formed alliance is facing severe raft of criticisms from opposition parties, including the EFF and a host of political commentators in the country.
Ramaphosa late Sunday announced a new cabinet/executive of 77, handing some key roles to the DA while holding on to 65% of the cabinet post.
In the new cabinet, DA is assigned six ministerial posts, six deputy ministerial posts as well as the position of Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
The Freedom Front Plus (FFPlus) will also play an active role in the new government with its leader, Dr. Pieter Groenewald assigned to head the Ministry of Correction Services.
”This is the first time in South Africa’s history that such a broad range of parties, from across the political spectrum, will constitute a government,” President Ramaphosa said of the appointments, adding ”In mandating us to form a government that serves all, the South African people have a rightful expectation that the seventh administration begins its work as soon as possible.”
Opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) quickly condemned the composition of the cabinet, vexed that the ANC ”has abandoned its historical role as a liberation movement in Africa.”
The EFF is convinced that the ANC ”has solidified its role as an instrument of white supremacy, and domestic and global capital on the continent.”
The EFF is particularly concerned that Ramaphosa handed control of key sectors such as Agriculture, trade, finance, education, energy and infrastructural development to the DA.
The Action SA said they are disappointed that they have such a ”bloated” cabinet.
”It is going to cost billions of rands to run at the cost of running departments effectively and getting the job done in South Africa.”
South Africans are even more critical of the appointment of FFPlus leader, Groenewald, to run the Ministry of Correction Services, a country with prisons populated by mostly by black South Africans.
Groenewald is viewed in the country’s political landscape as a racist and his appointment has been described as ”cynical.”
The Agriculture Ministry will also be run by a white, John Steenhuisen, from the DA who many now fear will confiscate the land and hand back to the minority white in the country.
The ANC’s Ramaphosa was forced into the GNU arrangement after his party lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994 in the May 2024 general elections.
Reporting by Azuka Christopher-theG&BJournal
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