GNU

Today marks one year since the Government of National Unity was formed, a bold and necessary step towards restoring stability and collaboration in a fractured political landscape. For the first time, the official opposition, most notably the DA, has found itself not across the aisle, but at the table. This has placed them in uncharted waters, balancing critique with cooperation. It is a tightrope that GOOD has walked before. When our leader, Patricia de Lille, entered Cabinet in 2019.

President Ramaphosa’s announcement of a National Convention on 15 August to launch a National Dialogue is a long-overdue step toward renewing South Africa’s social contract. Nearly a year has passed since political parties signed the Statement of Intent of the Government of National Unity (GNU), which explicitly committed to convening a National Dialogue to tackle the country’s deep and urgent challenges. That commitment was made in good faith and in recognition of the need for collective action in the face of crisis. The delay in giving effect to this promise has been frustrating, but the time for talking has finally arrived, and it must now be time for action too.