100+ days of the GNU: 'Struggling to gain foothold at provincial and local levels'
Political analyst Sanusha Naidoo examines the challenges and successes of the Government of National Unity after more than 100 days in office.
FILE: Newly sworn-in Cabinet ministers pose for a photo with Chief Justice Raymond Zondo and President Cyril Ramaphosa on 3 July 2024. Picture: GCIS
Zain Johnson interviews Sanusha Naidoo, a political analyst.
Listen below.
As of 30 September, the Government of National Unity (GNU) has reached the milestone of 100 days in office, and political analysts are generally pleased with its progress thus far.
The rand has strengthened by 7.5%, recently achieving a 20-month high, while the bond market has improved and the JSE’s main index has risen over 10%.
Naidoo interprets these figures as a sign of market optimism and growing confidence in the GNU.
However, she also acknowledges that frustrations and challenges persist, particularly as the GNU struggles to establish a solid footing at the provincial and local government levels.
"It's kind of finding a difficulty."
- Sanusha Naidoo, Political analyst
A recent example of this struggle is the ousting of Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink, which followed a motion of no confidence initiated by the ANC due to concerns about poor service delivery.
Naidoo points out significant internal contradictions within the GNU, questioning the former mayor’s performance, without adequately recognising that many of these issues are legacies of previous leadership.
"It's a legacy issue, so whatever you're seeing in terms of the reasons and the motivations for the motions of no confidence, becomes more about the political fickleness of parties."
- Sanusha Naidoo, Political analyst
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