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Government Of National Unity

The Government of National Unity is a coalition government formed in South Africa following the 2024 general election, when no single party secured an outright majority in the National Assembly. The GNU brings together multiple political parties, including the African National Congress (ANC), the Democratic Alliance (DA), and smaller parties such as the Patriotic Alliance (PA), to form a governing coalition. This arrangement marked a significant shift in South African politics, as it ended the ANC's three-decade period of governing with an outright majority. The coalition was necessitated by the ANC's reduced electoral support, which fell below 50% for the first time since the advent of democracy in 1994. The GNU structure involves the distribution of Cabinet positions among participating parties, with ministerial portfolios allocated according to negotiated agreements. The Democratic Alliance secured several key ministries, while smaller parties like the PA obtained positions including the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture. The coalition operates under a framework agreement that sets out principles of cooperation, policy priorities, and decision-making processes. The GNU faces the challenge of balancing diverse political ideologies and policy preferences while maintaining stability and delivering on governance commitments. This coalition model has also influenced government formation at provincial and municipal level, where similar multi-party arrangements have become increasingly common across South Africa.

Latest Articles in 60 Seconds

DA hits out over cadre deployment in foreign service

The Democratic Alliance (DA), a Government of National Unity (GNU) partner, has condemned President Cyril Ramaphosa's appointment of Ayanda Dlodlo, accused of blocking a State Capture Commission inquiry and facing a Public Protector probe over a R1.7-billion broadband deal, as ambassador to France, calling it evidence of ANC cadre deployment undermining foreign policy. The DA has separately blamed International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola for the sudden, unannounced closure of the South African High Commission in London's Trafalgar Square, citing decades of neglect and repair costs of just under R70-million, alongside a similarly stalled closure of the Hague embassy.

Lobbying allegations against Resolve Communications

ActionSA has lodged a Public Protector complaint and asked Parliament to probe Resolve Communications, the firm linked to former DA leader Tony Leon, over claims it used political access to broker meetings between GNU ministers and corporate clients such as Starlink.

SACP warns Vulindlela deepens neoliberal shift

The South African Communist Party's Politburo has criticised Operation Vulindlela as a neoliberal restructuring of the state favouring private capital, arguing the GNU provides cover for departing from ANC's traditional policy orientation.

Government Of National Unity Updates


Image of Ronald Lamola
‘ANC neglect’ collapsing SA’s foreign service assets – DA
9th July 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

The DA has on Thursday fiercely condemned the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) following the sudden, unannounced closure of the South African High Commission to the UK... 


Image of Michael Beaumont
ActionSA files complaint with Public Protector against Tony Leon’s PR firm
2nd July 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

ActionSA has escalated its fight against alleged political cronyism by lodging a formal complaint with the Public Protector’s Office, demanding an official investigation into Resolve... 


Image of Geordin Hill-Lewis
Hill-Lewis defends GNU but warns ANC over mandate
2nd July 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

In his first major address since assuming the leadership of the DA, Geordin Hill-Lewis has declared that South Africa has entered a "second transition" that demands a “fundamentally new type of... 


Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp
TLU SA encourages newly appointed Minister Aucamp to maintain open-door approach to organised agriculture
1st July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Agriculture organisation TLU SA has expressed concern about political uncertainty amid Cabinet reshuffle moves that included appointing Willie Aucamp as Agriculture Minister in John Steenhuisen's... 


Image of Geordin Hill-Lewis
Hill-Lewis hails ‘DA difference’ as new GNU executive sworn in, condemns Pule's appointment
1st July 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has congratulated his party’s new representatives in the National Executive, who are being sworn in on Wednesday to serve in the Government of National Unity. The... 


ActionSA wants three economic Ministers fired over Q1 job losses
ActionSA wants three economic Ministers fired over Q1 job losses
9th June 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

ActionSA has intensified its pressure on the Government of National Unity to immediately fire three key economic Ministers following the latest GDP and employment data released by Statistics South... 


Business leaders demand national govt step in to rescue Joburg from economic collapse
Business leaders demand national govt step in to rescue Joburg from economic collapse
4th June 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

The South African business sector has issued an urgent call to political parties and national government to immediately stabilise the City of Johannesburg’s fiscal and governance crisis. Ahead of... 


Image of Liam Jacobs
Liam Jacobs apologises for ‘disgraced departure’ from DA, slams 'ANC cheerleader' PA
2nd June 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

In a political turnaround, former PA member Liam Jacobs has officially returned to the DA, issuing a public apology on Tuesday for his "distasteful" and "disgraceful" departure from the official... 


DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis
Impeachment or GNU?: Hill-Lewis says no trade-off for accountability in government
14th May 2026 By: Sashnee Moodley

Despite being in a crucial coalition alliance with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s African National Congress, Democratic Alliance leader Geordin Hill-Lewis is clear that there will be no trade-off for... 


Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber
Home Affairs deportations climb by 46% since GNU formation
9th April 2026

The Department of Home Affairs revealed on Thursday that since the formation of the Government of National Unity, 109 344 illegal immigrants have been deported, a cumulative 46% increase over the... 


An image showing the benefits of the BER's Fish Eagle growth scenario
Renewed urgency on reforms needed to ensure ‘economic lift-off’ – BER
26th March 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

South Africa could grow by at least 3% and create 2.4-million more jobs by 2030 relative to 2025 if it doubles down on catalytic reforms, but it must act with renewed urgency if it is to convert... 


Still waiting for a comeback: SA's GDP growth since 1994
Still waiting for a comeback: SA's GDP growth since 1994
13th March 2026

South Africa reported its best economic growth in three years in 2025, but 1.1% is not nearly good enough. It falls short of the National Treasury's predictions of 1.4%. It also lags well behind... 


GDP: ActionSA criticises GNU for ‘stagnated economy’ as govt welcomes ‘accelerate inclusive growth’
GDP: ActionSA criticises GNU for ‘stagnated economy’ as govt welcomes ‘accelerate inclusive growth’
10th March 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

ActionSA has expressed concerns with the latest GDP figures, accusing the Government of National Unity of “sitting on its hands” while the economy stagnated. Statistics South Africa on Tuesday... 


Image of John Steenhuisen
DA reiterates rejection of BEE after Ramaphosa slams party in SoNA debate
20th February 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen has assured that his party will continue to push for the implementation of “faster and bolder reform”, while it rejects the African National Congress's... 


President Cyril Ramaphosa
Mixed political reactions to water crisis committee announced during SoNA
13th February 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

Political parties expressed mixed reactions to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address, criticising the announcement of the National Water Crisis Committee. On Thursday, Ramaphosa... 


Image of Ronald Lamola
DA asks Lamola to report Iran for human rights abuses
14th January 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

The Democratic Alliance on Wednesday demanded that International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola report Iran to the United Nations Human Rights Council for “blatant human rights... 


Naval Vessels
DA hits back at ‘Brics naval exercises’, warns GNU being undermined
9th January 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

The Democratic Alliance has expressed concerns that South Africa is deepening ties with Russia and Iran, following recent naval exercises involving Brics+ countries, in Cape Town. According to the... 


GNU leaders
GNU more ‘cohesive, determined’ than ever before, say leaders
3rd November 2025 By: Thabi Shomolekae

Leaders of the Government of National Unity (GNU) say the coalition is now “more cohesive, determined and focused”, agreeing to further engagement on South Africa’s international relations to... 


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