ANC Dumps Traditional Allies for GNU to Shape SA's Policy Trajectory

Reneva Fourie

Much fanfare is made of the fact that South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) represents 60 percent of the voters in the 2024 general election. What is not recognised is that most South Africans did not vote, and that of those who did, the majority, by far, supported parties that claimed to represent the working class and the poor.

If the African National Congress still regards itself as a centre-left movement, rooted in the struggle for equality, then it must acknowledge that it carries the responsibility to defend those who have placed their hopes in it. The current arrangement, in which the ten political parties that constitute the GNU, the Leaders’ Forum, now set the strategic political direction for the country, raises deep concern about whose interests are being prioritised.

Cohesion within the GNU has been overdue for a considerable time, especially since the Democratic Alliance, which secured only 21.8 percent of the vote, persists in positioning itself outside of the structure. The DA not only challenges policies designed to rectify past injustices, such as black economic empowerment, but also claims the achievements of collective efforts as its own.

The two-day retreat of the GNU leadership at the Cradle of Humankind last weekend was a much-needed team-building exercise to strengthen cooperation and unity. However, the elevation of this gathering into a policy-making body is a troubling shift.

In any government that claims to represent the people, policy should be determined by the party that received the largest share of the vote. While the ANC did not achieve an outright majority in 2024, it remains the largest political party within the GNU and is most rooted in a historic mission of social justice.

Thus, its responsibility is to ensure that the voices of the poor, the unemployed, and the marginalised continue to shape the policies of the state. The majority of South Africans who voted chose parties that identify as progressive, parties that speak of redistribution, transformation, and dignity. That reality cannot be ignored. It must translate into an actionable policy that serves the people rather than the powerful.

Yet the outcomes of the Leaders’ Forum retreat reveal that the  ANC, yet again, appears to be veering away from its own traditions. It has become increasingly reluctant to consult with its alliance partners, even though those organisations – the South African Communist Party, trade unions, and civic movements – contributed significantly to its continued support at the polls. Alarmingly, even its own members now seem to be marginalised in the shaping of the country’s policy trajectory. 

Historically, the ANC’s Lekgotla provided a space where its leaders, members, and alliance partners could come together to chart a path forward. The discussions arising from those gatherings might not always have been reflected in macroeconomic or fiscal policy.

But they provided a platform for accountability and ensured that the government remained aligned with the needs of the people. The Lekgotla reaffirmed the idea that political power must always be guided by collective wisdom, popular participation, and bring fundamental positive change in the lives of all South Africans.

The replacement of the ANC Lekgotla by the Leaders’ Forum, at a time when the ANC still reflects the vast majority of the vote, is concerning. This new forum, composed of the leadership of the parties within the GNU, has begun to position itself as the primary determinant of government strategy on both domestic and foreign policy.

Such a shift indicates a retreat from democratic consultation and from the participatory spirit that historically defined the country’s post-apartheid governance. When decisions about the country’s direction are confined to a small circle of political elites, accountability diminishes and the people’s interests risk being subordinated to those of capital. The danger lies in the growing influence of those who measure progress by market indicators rather than by the well-being of ordinary citizens.

The shift of public policy towards the interests of big business, international finance, and foreign interests betrays the promises that ushered South Africa into democracy. While elites celebrate stability and investor confidence, millions of South Africans continue to grapple with unemployment, hunger, and the daily struggle for survival.

The cost of living has risen beyond the reach of many, and the social fabric is strained by rising crime and inequality. Each year, the gulf between the rhetoric of inclusion and the lived experiences of the poor widens. When decisions are taken in boardrooms and retreats rather than in communities and congresses, democracy becomes a hollow facade.

The GNU emerged out of necessity, but necessity cannot serve as justification for the erosion of democracy. A government that purports to represent the people must genuinely listen to their concerns and act in their best interests.

The path of compromise that the GNU has adopted risks diluting the transformative agenda that once defined South Africa’s political ethos. The working class, the unemployed, and the youth, who are most affected by economic stagnation and inequality, find themselves increasingly ignored in this post-GNU political landscape.

The responsibility now lies with the ANC to reconnect with its roots and to ensure that the voices of those it claims to represent are not just heard, but actively shape policy decisions. Genuine engagement with alliance partners and the communities affected by these policies is essential to re-establishing trust and accountability in governance.

If the ANC is to remain true to its original mission, it must prioritise the needs and aspirations of the most disadvantaged, rather than succumbing to the pressures of market-driven interests.

The struggle for equality and justice cannot be outsourced to a forum of political elites. It belongs to the people who continue to labour, to hope, and to demand accountability. If the majority party is to honour its history, it must reclaim the space for democratic participation, restore consultation with its partners, and re-centre policy on the needs of the working class.

* Dr Reneva Fourie is a policy analyst specialising in governance, development, and security.

** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, Independent Media or The African.