An African National Congress member has cautioned about internal tensions in the Government of National Unity

South Africa's Government of National Unity (GNU) risks becoming unworkable unless coalition partners act with greater discipline and shared purpose, African National Congress (ANC) first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane has warned. 

In a media interview, Mokonyane described the GNU was a "strategic setback" for the ANC, though she acknowledged it emerged through the will of the South African electorate.

"It's not what we wanted. It's what came through the process of South Africans," she said.

"We had to appreciate that this organisation is the organisation of the people, whether we go strong, we must humble ourselves and make sure that we use the little that we have to bring all interested parties together. That is the GNU."

Mokonyane insisted that the GNU could survive until the next national elections, but only "as long as there's cooperation and collaboration amongst parties."

The biggest threat, she said, was the behaviour of the Democratic Alliance (DA), whom she bluntly called "the most irresponsible party".

"They misbehave. Remember, they were going to oppose the budget. They try and are pushing that they deal with issues like foreign policy, how they want to play a dual role of an opposition and a party in government."

She also accused the DA of undermining the president and violating the agreed GNU Statement of Intent, warning that some within the DA have made no secret of their desire to see the ANC destroyed.

"We have people in the Government of National Unity who have a mission. And the mission is not about transformation. It's not about equality. It's not about fighting for a non-racial society.

"They have publicly said their mission is to bury the African National Congress. Zille said she wants to see the ANC being buried."

Despite those tensions, Mokonyane insisted the GNU was not dependent on the DA and would not collapse if the party chose to exit.

"There's a narrative that says the GNU and the ANC need the DA to be there. If the DA were to leave tomorrow, we'll have to go back to the drawing board, but I don't think that the GNU will collapse."

She confirmed that the ANC continued to engage with other parties , including the EFF, MK Party, and Freedom Front Plus , but many have made what she calls impossible demands, such as the removal of President Cyril Ramaphosa.

"How can you say, 'I want to be part of this GNU, but only if you remove your president'? Or demand, 'Drop this case' - issues that relate to our own internal matters?"

Mokonyane admitted that the ANC itself has mishandled parts of the GNU project, failing to put in place structured processes to manage coalition dynamics.

''We, as the ANC, have also failed to manage the GNU better. We assumed everyone understood that they serve at the behest of the president.

"But today, you see some jump around, and tomorrow they'll act like they're DA ministers , even though there's no such thing by law. Once you're sworn in, you're a South African minister," said Mokonyane. 

Still, despite the turmoil, she painted a broader picture of political pragmatism, especially at grassroots level. Mokonyane spoke warmly of her personal relationships with people across party lines, particularly among Afrikaners in her home community of Krugersdorp.

"They're my neighbours. I'm a widow now, and I live among them. When they go to the Voortrekker Monument to commemorate their history, we sometimes argue and exchange strong words,  and then we come back together again," she said. 

"I always say to people, I've found Afrikaners, most of them, to be much more honest and open. If they hate you, they hate you. And that's it. If they come to understand you, they understand you."

She said many Afrikaners are also sceptical of the DA and sometimes relate more to black liberation movements like the PAC.

"They will tell you, the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) is the Freedom Front of you black people, we are the PAC of white people."

Asked whether she could sit down for coffee with DA leaders like Helen Zille, Mokonyane was unequivocal.

"Having coffee with Helen would be going too far. We can have coffee in a meeting. Yeah, I wouldn't.

"These are people who sometimes can actually set you up, you may actually be seen not to be loyal to your own constituencies."

By contrast, she said she can "have tea with the EFF any day" and meet with leaders of the IFP, Patriotic Alliance, and even the Freedom Front Plus. Despite all the cross-party interaction, Mokonyane insists the ANC's focus must return to itself.

"It shouldn't be a permanent thing that we should be so preoccupied with managing coalition chaos. What we must be preoccupied with is the renewal of the ANC."

First published by IOL