President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to meet DA leader John Steenhuisen on Monday after a deadlock in the power-sharing talks this weekend.
Party insiders privy to talks said Ramaphosa will maintain the ANC's stance on the cabinet posts it is willing to share with the DA.
TimesLIVE understands that the DA sent the ANC a written request this weekend stipulating that it wants Ramaphosa to appoint at least 10 of its MPs to the cabinet in key economic portfolios — and name DA leader John Steenhuisen as deputy president.
When the president is ready to announce his cabinet appointments, he will do so. For now, he is consulting
— Vincent Magwenya, Presidency spokesperson
However, insiders in the ANC said the party was negotiating for the DA to receive six cabinet posts.
The deadlock between the two parties has led to the delay in Ramaphosa announcing his cabinet.
ANC insiders said an announcement would likely take place later this week.
The ANC's top brass is said to have met on Sunday evening to discuss the DA's demands.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said: “There are consultations with parties that are signatories to the government of national unity (GNU). I won't comment on individual meetings. When the president is ready to announce his cabinet appointments, he will do so. For now, he is consulting.”
In his weekly newsletter on Monday morning, Ramaphosa said South Africans made it clear with their votes that they want their elected representatives to put aside narrow interests and work together to build the country.
“To do so, the GNU cannot be preoccupied with jockeying for positions, tussles over appointments or squabbles within and between parties. The success of the GNU will be measured by the extent to which we are prepared to focus not on who will govern, but on how we will govern, together.”
The ANC announced that 10 parties had signed the GNU agreement as its founding members on Saturday. These include the DA, IFP, PA, Good, UDM, PAC, FF Plus, Rise Mzansi and Al Jama-ah. The inclusion of these parties could mean the ANC has the much-needed 200+ seats to form a majority in parliament without the DA.
One NEC member said the DA would receive a lesser share than it had envisaged in cabinet as more parties join the GNU.
In his letter, Ramaphosa said the days and weeks ahead would be crucial.
“South Africans are watching. We should not waste our energies on those who stand in the way of our country’s progress or lose momentum over differences that can be resolved.
“We need to demonstrate in word and deed that our programme is clear, coherent and sustainable, that our collaboration is genuine, and that the interests of the people will always come first,” he said.
Ramaphosa said parties should remain committed to consensus-building and the representation of a broad range of interests and viewpoints within government.
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