2024 South African Government Formation

Following the 2024 South African general election on 29 May 2024, negotiations commenced on the formation of the next presidential cabinet.

History

While counting was ongoing, the ANC said that its leadership would meet on 31 May to "reflect on what is good for the country." The DA's John Steenhuisen said that the results showed that South Africa was "heading into coalition country" and expressed a willingness to work alongside the ANC, adding that he would have to first consult with other signatories of the Multi-Party Charter. The DA also said that a government composed of the ANC, the MK, and the EFF would be a "doomsday coalition" pursuing previous policy failures in the country. The EFF's Julius Malema said that the election results marked the end of the ANC's "entitlement of being the sole dominant party", adding that he was open to talks with the ANC on forming a coalition government. The Patriotic Alliance's Gayton McKenzie compared prospects of an ANC-DA coalition to "a marriage of two drunk people in Las Vegas" that would prove "unworkable".

Negotiations

Gwede Mantashe, the ANC's national chair, said that the party had started to conduct informal talks with other parties for a possible coalition. On 2 June, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula announced the official opening of negotiations, adding that the party had heard the popular will and was "humbled" by the election result. Mbalula also said that the ANC would reject conditions by other parties for Cyril Ramaphosa to step down as president. In his first statement following the election later that day, Ramaphosa called on political parties to overcome their differences and find "common ground" in creating a coalition government. Separate coalition talks were expected to occur regarding the provincial governments of KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Northern Cape.

On 4 June, the ANC released an internal document which advised for a coalition with both the DA and IFP. The document also stated that the ANC "should not consider" an alliance with either the EFF or the MK. On 5 June, the ANC formally announced that it was seeking to create a national unity government, with spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri saying that the party had discussions with the DA, the EFF and three other smaller parties, but received no positive response from the MK. These discussions, which were still in the early stages, will continue, with the ANC framing them as an attempt to form a government of "national unity" and not just as an option for a formal coalition. On 6 June, the MK confirmed that it was engaged in negotiations with the ANC.

On 6 June, ActionSA announced they would leave the Multi-Party Charter as the party believed some member parties had breached the agreement by considering forming a coalition with the ANC. This decision reduced the charter's seat count from 119 to 113 in the 400-seat National Assembly. During coalition negotiations, the EFF sought the Minister of Finance position and ruled out cooperation with the DA. The MK sought the resignation of Ramaphosa. The DA sought to safeguard the independence of the South African Reserve Bank and the protection of property rights. The ANC ruled out the resignation of Ramaphosa, and statements made by Ramaphosa on the constitution, non-racialism, and the Operation Vulindlela economic initiative indicated a preference to cooperate with the DA over the EFF and MK.

On 12 June, the IFP said that it was willing to join a unity government that included the ANC and the DA.

On 13 June, the ANC announced that the DA and several other parties had agreed on the "fundamental" principle of forming the national unity government, with a framework to be disclosed on 14 June. On 14 June, John Steenhuisen announced that the DA had entered into a coalition agreement with the ANC and provided its support for Ramaphosa's reelection as president. The Patriotic Alliance also provided its support. This coalition agreement was also confirmed by ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula, who described it as a "remarkable step."

The "fundamental" principles of what was to become a grand coalition was set by a written agreement dated 17 June 2024 between ANC and DA, referred to as the Statement of Intent.

First sitting of parliament

On 10 June, Chief Justice Raymond Zondo declared that the first sitting of the new National Assembly would occur on 14 June, during which elections for parliamentary speaker and president would be held. The session proceeded as scheduled, with the ANC's Thoko Didiza being elected parliamentary speaker after she defeated the Economic Freedom Fighters' Veronica Mente with 284 votes to 49. The same day, the National Assembly would re-elect Ramaphosa President of South Africa after he defeated Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema with 283 votes to 54. The DA's Annelie Lotriet was elected Deputy Speaker after defeating the African Transformation Movement's Vuyo Zungula with 273 votes to 54. Lotriet became the first non-ANC member to hold the position of Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly since Bhadra Ranchod, who served as Deputy Speaker between 1994 and 1996.

On the same day, the ANC, the DA, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the Patriotic Alliance (PA), agreed to form a national unity government, with Cyril Ramaphosa being re-elected President of South Africa. He was sworn in as president on 19 June while negotiations on the cabinet were ongoing.

Disputed Patriotic Alliance admission to GNU

In an interview on SABC News' ''Face the Nation'' current affairs programme, DA Federal Council Chairperson Helen Zille said in reference to the Patriotic Alliance admission: "So you can't just let anybody come in without consulting with us and then he makes the appointments in consultation with the leaders of the parties who have been accepted for admission". Zille specifically referred to Clause 17 of the Statement of Intent, which governs the President's powers in appointing an Executive. Clauses 18 and 19 of the statement deal with the concept of "sufficient consensus", which among other points, only exists when "parties to the GNU representing 60% of the seats in the National Assembly agree".

Further parties joining the GNU

Other parties to join the national unity government are GOOD, shortly after the first sitting of parliament, the PAC, on the 19th, and the FF+ on the 20th of June. The UDM decided to join on the 21st, Rise Mzansi on the 22nd, Al Jama-ah on the 23rd, and UAT on the 30th of June 2024. This brought the GNU to 288 seats in the 400 seat parliament (72%).

On 12 July 2024 the UAT withdrew from the GNU, because it did not receive any positions in the Cabinet. This does not adjust the 72% of GNU seats in parliament.

Demands by parties

The DA reportedly requested 10 posts in the cabinet, including the ministries of Communication and digital technology, Trade and industry, Transport, Public service and administration, Water and sanitation, Local government and Health, as well as deputy minister posts of finance and health. In addition, the DA requested that John Steenhuisen be designated as deputy president over ANC incumbent Paul Mashatile. The ANC rejected most of the requests on the grounds of multiple other parties joining the coalition negotiations, instead agreeing to up to five cabinet positions for the DA. The DA's negotiators, including Steenhuisen and Tony Leon, considered withdrawing, but instead agreed to keep negotiations open with the ANC.

Finalized initial composition of the GNU cabinet

On June 30, Ramaphosa announced the composition of the initial 32-minister cabinet, with the DA being accorded six ministries (with Steenhuisen being accorded Agriculture), IFP accorded 2 (with leader Velenkosini Hlabisa being accorded Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs), and one each to the party leaders of FF+ ( Correctional Services), PA (Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture), PAC (Land Reform and Rural Development) and GOOD (Tourism). In addition, 42 deputy ministers were named from among the coalition parties.

References

{{South African Cabinets

Cabinets of South Africa
Cabinet formation
2024 in South Africa