By Michael Andisile Mayalo
South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) is now facing its most significant test. The ANC is growing increasingly frustrated with its coalition partner, the DA, and has issued an ultimatum: leave the coalition if you can no longer work with us. While the ANC’s statement might appear as a defensive reaction, it bears a larger, more troubling reality: the DA’s long-standing opportunism.
For years, the DA has played a dual game—positioning itself as the most vocal critic of the ANC while simultaneously sharing in the country's governance through the GNU. The coalition, meant to unite fractured political factions in the wake of the 2019 elections, has often felt more like a political marriage of convenience. The DA’s participation, however, has exposed the party's opportunistic nature, raising important questions about whether it is genuinely committed to governance or merely using its position to further its political interests.
A Delicate Alliance in a Fragmented Political Landscape
The GNU was conceived as a temporary, pragmatic solution to South Africa’s fragmented political landscape. The ANC, as the largest party, was invited to form a coalition government, which included the DA, the country's leading opposition party. While a government of national unity was supposed to bridge divides, the presence of two ideologically opposed parties—the ANC, a liberation movement turned governing party, and the DA, a liberal opposition—has always been uncomfortable.
The partnership was fraught from the start. The ANC, despite its dominant position, struggled to manage internal divisions, and the DA, while technically part of the government, maintained its role as an outspoken critic. This tension between cooperation and opposition created a volatile political environment, where the DA seemed less interested in policy collaboration and more focused on using the coalition as a platform for critique.
The DA’s Opportunistic Strategy
For the DA, the GNU was never really about national unity or effective governance. It has always been about political calculation. The DA has regularly taken a stance of "constructive opposition"—an oxymoron that allowed the party to publicly criticise the ANC while avoiding the responsibilities of a full opposition party. The DA was quick to point out the ANC’s shortcomings but slow to offer meaningful policy alternatives, preferring to amplify its criticism from within.
Throughout its time in the coalition, the DA demonstrated a pattern of opportunism rather than genuine engagement. The party repeatedly used its position to highlight the ANC's failures—particularly on corruption, economic mismanagement, and poor service delivery. While these issues are undeniably serious, the DA’s response was often more about scoring political points than offering solutions. The party would position itself as the saviour of South Africa’s future, but without ever taking full ownership of the difficult decisions needed to enact change.
This opportunistic strategy allowed the DA to criticise the government while benefiting from its coalition position. It was a balancing act—remaining in government to influence policy while being able to distance itself from the more controversial actions of the ANC. But this approach has undermined the very purpose of a national unity government. If the DA was so opposed to the ANC’s policies, why did it continue to participate in the coalition? More often than not, the answer lies in the DA's desire to gain electoral advantage without the full weight of governance.
The ANC’s Frustration: An Ultimatum for Clarity
The ANC’s recent ultimatum—telling the DA to leave if it can no longer work with the ruling party—reflects growing frustration. The ANC, dealing with internal struggles and a waning public mandate, is caught between two worlds: trying to hold onto power while maintaining a semblance of unity in an increasingly fractured coalition. The party has long tolerated the DA's contradictory role, but as the political landscape becomes more polarised, the ANC’s patience is wearing thin.
By urging the DA to leave, the ANC is essentially forcing the opposition party to choose: either accept the compromises of coalition governance or retreat to a position of opposition without the perks of governance. The ANC is no longer willing to tolerate the DA's position of “being in but not really in,” and it’s seeking clarity on whether the DA truly wants to participate in the government or just use it as a stage for its political gain.
The ANC’s demand exposes the reality that the GNU has never been a partnership of equals. The DA’s role has been more about undermining the ANC than building a better South Africa. By participating in the coalition while continuing to attack the very government it was part of, the DA has blurred the lines between constructive criticism and political opportunism. The ANC’s ultimatum recognises that, for national stability, the DA either needs to step up and commit to the coalition or leave it entirely.
The DA’s Political Calculations: Risks and Rewards
The ANC's ultimatum presents both an opportunity and a risk for the DA. Leaving the coalition could allow the DA to more clearly define itself as the alternative to ANC rule, free from the constraints of coalition compromise. However, it also risks alienating voters who expect the DA to be part of a solution, not just a critic. Moreover, leaving the GNU would likely result in further political fragmentation, empowering smaller, less cohesive opposition parties.
However, the DA's opportunism suggests that it will likely make a calculated decision. The party thrives on its position as the primary challenger to ANC rule, and any move to withdraw from the GNU would only bolster its image as a firm opponent of the ruling party. But this would also underscore its tendency to seize political opportunities without fully committing to the messy work of governance. The DA’s history suggests that it prefers to wield power from the sidelines rather than get involved in the compromises of coalition politics.
The Consequences of Opportunism: Fragmentation and Instability
The DA’s opportunism has contributed to the instability of the GNU. By criticising the ANC from within the government without offering real solutions, the DA has made effective governance harder. The coalition has become more concerned about the DA positioning itself for future elections than about working together to solve South Africa's myriad problems. As the ANC and the DA continue to clash, the possibility of a more fragmented and unstable political environment grows.
If the DA leaves the GNU, it will likely lead to further fragmentation of South Africa’s political system. With no clear majority and growing polarisation, the country’s governance could become even more chaotic. This could exacerbate South Africa's challenges: a struggling economy, high unemployment, and a public increasingly disillusioned with political leaders.
The Future of South African Politics
The ANC’s ultimatum to the DA marks a critical moment in South Africa’s political evolution. The DA must now choose between continuing its opportunistic role in the GNU or leaving the coalition to position itself as the primary opposition force. Either way, the DA’s behaviour in the GNU has undermined the potential for true national unity and stable governance.
South Africa’s future is at stake as the ANC and the DA face off. The country needs leaders who are willing to set aside opportunistic ambitions and work toward the common good. Unfortunately, the prospects for political stability remain uncertain, with both parties more focused on political calculation than meaningful collaboration. The real question is not just whether the DA leaves the GNU but whether South African politics can ever move beyond opportunism to the kind of leadership that the country so desperately needs.
Mayalo is an independent writer, analyst, and commentator