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Better to be in than out — parties react to GNU Cabinet

Better to be in than out — parties react to GNU Cabinet
Velani Ludidi
By Velani Ludidi
1 Jul 2024
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President Cyril Ramaphosa’s new administration includes ministers and deputy ministers from nine parties. Member parties were hopeful while the opposition called the Cabinet a waste of taxpayers’ money.

A month after South Africa’s general election, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a new, expanded Cabinet on Sunday evening, sparking diverse reactions across the political spectrum.

Growing the Cabinet is a significant departure from Ramaphosa’s previous pledge to streamline the executive and reduce the number of ministerial portfolios.

During his announcement, Ramaphosa said maintaining a broad and inclusive government was crucial for the government of national unity (GNU).

“Given the need to incorporate all parties within this coalition, reducing the number of portfolios was impossible,” said Ramaphosa.

Read more in Daily Maverick: Ramaphosa announces Cabinet with ministers from ANC, DA, IFP, PA, PAC and FF+

The African National Congress (ANC), leading the GNU, welcomed the announcement. The party stated that with the Cabinet now in place, finalising the structures of Parliament would be a priority.



“The dynamic interplay between policy and oversight authorities will be a critical part of making the government of national unity effective in bringing about transformation, redress, and national unity,” declared the ANC.

Parliament had expressed concerns over the delay in the Cabinet formation, which had left many members of Parliament uncertain about their roles and future ministerial appointments. With the new Cabinet now set, the focus shifts to ensuring that the legislative and oversight mandates are fully operational.

Members hopeful


Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen, who was appointed as minister of agriculture, expressed pride and readiness to bring the DA’s governance principles to the national level.

“Our mission to create an open, opportunity society for all South Africans is now our sole focus,” said Steenhuisen.

“The formulation of the DA’s National Executive Member offering takes into consideration skills and expertise, qualifications and experience, and diversity while ensuring that our parliamentary caucus retains key members to exercise oversight over all national departments.”

Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Groenewald, who was appointed as correctional services minister, said: “The party accepted the position in Cabinet to demonstrate its willingness to fulfil its role in the GNU to facilitate stability and progress in the country. 

“The party found itself in an extraordinary position where it had to choose between merely fulfilling an opposition role or actively participating in deliberations in Cabinet to determine policy and legislation to benefit every single person in South Africa. Change is the only thing that will improve the South African political landscape.”



PAC President Mzwanele Nyhontso was appointed as land reform and rural development minister. The PAC’s secretary-general, Apa Pooe, said the party could fulfil its commitments on land reform and “work with the Cabinet, led by the President, to advance the revolutionary agenda of the liberation struggle”.

The UDM, whose leader Bantu Holomisa was appointed as deputy minister of defence and military veterans, commended the inclusion of young people and women in the Cabinet and said the party hoped they “will not just be tokens but will have a substantial voice in shaping the direction of our country”.

Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi voiced disappointment over the Cabinet’s expansion. The party is a member of the GNU but did not take any Cabinet positions.

Zibi said that while participating in the GNU, his party would rigorously oversee the executive’s actions to ensure adherence to the Constitution and the responsible spending of public funds.

“Rise Mzansi looks forward to playing an active role in elevating the status of Parliament and ensuring that the President, Deputy President, ministers and deputy ministers act to uphold the Constitution, act with integrity and spend the people’s money correctly.”

‘Extended patronage’


The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) criticised the GNU as a façade for an ANC-DA coalition. The party decried the Cabinet’s size, arguing it burdened taxpayers and perpetuated inequality. The EFF refused to join the GNU while the DA and FF+ were members.

“We remain committed to opposing the policies of the ANC-DA coalition and will continue our fight for economic freedom,” asserted the party.

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba, whose party abstained from joining the GNU, condemned the Cabinet’s size as a betrayal of earlier promises by Ramaphosa and the DA to reduce government expenditure.

“The appointment of 32 ministers and 42 deputy ministers shows a clear deviation from their principles,” Mashaba remarked, highlighting the considerable cost to the state.

“The Cabinet will collectively cost over R1-billion annually in benefits and perks, with R183-million allocated to the salaries of ministers and deputy ministers alone.”

Build One South Africa (Bosa) acting spokesperson Roger Solomons called for the curtailment of executive perks, advocating for a more inclusive government.

“This is now one of the largest national executives we’ve seen in democratic South Africa. Bosa is firmly opposed to extending patronage using Cabinet positions,” said Solomons.

Labour federation Cosatu expressed hope that the GNU would swiftly address economic challenges and drive growth. It highlighted the necessity of the ANC’s manifesto in guiding the coalition’s policies while pledging to scrutinise the DA’s role within the government.

“We expect the policy mandate to be anchored upon the ANC’s commitments to job creation and poverty reduction,” stated Cosatu.

With the Cabinet now in place, South Africa is at a crossroads. The next steps involve translating the promises of the GNU into tangible actions that address the nation’s pressing challenges of unemployment, inequality and economic stagnation. DM

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