The game of brinkmanship between the ANC and the DA continues to display their inability to govern and display maturity in the new context of South African politics.
It goes without saying that the ultimatum that the DA presented, which resulted not in leaving the GNU but leaving the national dialogue — a government-led programme — signified that cooperation is not a concern for either of the two largest parties in South Africa.
The ANC, overly concerned with being affirmed as the rightful leader of the GNU as a result of it holding the largest proportion of the vote, continues to lead without a plan. No clear policy indicators that are measurable and lead to active growth in the economy and a decrease in inequality and job unemployment shows a misstep in their mandate.
The ANC's continued decline over the years is a direct result of stagnancy in South Africa — the lack of tangible job opportunities, quality education, healthcare and basic services. Accompanied by corruption and lavish lifestyles left unchecked and unaccounted for, it meant the ANC never cared for the wellbeing of South Africans, and it has now exposed itself the most within the GNU.
Conversely, the DA — once the formidable force of opposition reminding South Africans that accountability, governance and service delivery were of importance — has co-opted the same government and has lost sight of what they intend to do.
What quickly has exposed the DA is that beyond its anti-transformation agenda and calls for the economy to grow through the magic of investment from countries and businesses unknown to the South African public, they are just as clueless as the ANC.
After a year in government, there is no prerogative or plan on how the country ought to face the current challenges it has, and worse , there is no attempt to collectively, within the government, solve such issues.
Constant legal battles, public spats and press conferences — the DA has done nothing for progress in the same way the ANC has done nothing. Rather than recognise the major concerns of South Africans, who are unconcerned about their principal beliefs, they continue to lose sight of the reality that governments govern for everyone and not just their constituencies.
This raises an interesting concern — that maybe the DA is being corrupted by the same power it once used to fight so intently. Now more than ever, with the DA members working in parliament and holding ministerial posts, the good life is not easy to leave.
In the wake of former deputy minister Andrew Whitfield being removed from cabinet for a trip taken to the US months earlier, it led to a major stand-off between the ANC and the DA once again. However, this time, what became apparent is that both major parties are fracturing at the helm.
Internally, within the DA, camps have begun to grow, with some in the federal executive arguing to leave the GNU and potentially save face from what appears to be a government making no strides.
Already marked with 0.1% growth in the economy in the first quarter, it indicated poor progress, if any, within the government that promised prosperity and stability — especially from the left parties. There may be growing pressure for the DA to once again save itself and return to the place it knows — the opposition.
However, others within the federal executive argue for continuation of the government as a means of defending against the doomsday coalition of the MK Party and the EFF. But this framing seems to be losing itself after the DA threatened to leave the GNU after countless battles with the ANC, yet have remained every single time.
This raises an interesting concern — that maybe the DA is being corrupted by the same power it once used to fight so intently. Now more than ever, with the DA members working in parliament and holding ministerial posts, the good life is not easy to leave.
It is apparent that this government in its current form is ineffective and is unlikely to lead to any improvement for the country. Already having shut down an effective budget in Budget 1.0, growth was taken off the table as the DA and ANC opted for a political fight framed as a VAT fight. The government is losing the mechanism necessary to fix the problem.
The reality now is whether the DA is to leave — at some point, they will be unable to separate themselves from the problem. They opted to be part of the institution and now, more than ever, want to distance themselves but refuse to leave it.
Now they have threatened a motion of no confidence. They clearly no longer believe in the ANC and the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa. The large concern is that they clearly never cared for governance and rather joined the government for their own party politics.
Both political parties are actively lobbying to be seen as the victor and protector of the people. The DA claimed victory over the budget, and the ANC continues to claim transformation and progress through the NHI and BELA acts. There have been little signs of cooperation between the two parties.
Now more than ever, it appears as though the end is near. The leader of the DA, John Steenhuisen, declared: “[President Ramaphosa] must fire us from the GNU and let it be on his shoulders that the EFF and MK Party come into government.” There has been a clear drawing of lines and a clear declaration of opposition and lack of belief in the government.
Moreover, the DA continues to claim that it will vote against corrupt ministers in their budgets — alluding to minister of human settlements Thembi Simelane allegedly receiving funds, and minister of higher education Nobuhle Nkabane, who withdrew the recent Sectoral Education and Training Authorities (Setas) board announcement. This depicts a reality that the government does not govern for the people of South Africa, but rather its own parties' constituencies.
The ANC is no different. After the budget debacle, many ANC leaders called for the removal of the DA after refusing to support the budget. The ANC argued that you cannot be in government implementing a budget you have not voted for — a sentiment that has remained strong well after the budget had been voted on.
It is believed that the continued delay of the National Executive Committee of the ANC is to ensure the anger that is simmering does not boil over. Recently, ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri even pushed the DA to clarify its role within the GNU , indicating worsening tensions.
Now the reality is that South Africans are tired. Conditions have not been improving, political fights increase, and there is a growing belief that the DA is not committed to government — or potentially is holding on until the right exit time appears. This shows a government that is blind to the reality of people on the ground.
For the ANC, their 31 years of leading the country show a lack of urgency or seriousness to return to the civil leaders that the public can trust. The country is where it is now mostly because of the fate of the ANC and poor leadership.
To both parties — the DA needs to decide whether it governs for all South Africans or it should leave the government. If the ANC is so dead set on being the leader of the GNU, then it should actively do so and ensure that accountability is enforced and not just spoken about. But also that the country's darkening reality can be lifted.
It took the maturity of the US and USSR to ensure nuclear warfare did not occur. Now in South Africa, the maturity of the ANC and the DA is necessary before something nuclear takes place.
• Khumo Kumalo is the founder of the website Misunderstood, which unpacks social, identity and economic issues in South Africa, and a student at Morehouse College, studying political science
For opinion and analysis consideration, email opinions@timeslive.co.za
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