GNU: 'You don’t form a government with friends. It’s about common objectives' - Mavuso Msimang, ANC Veterans League

Thabo Shole Mashao speaks with Mavuso Msimang, Deputy President of the ANC Veterans League.

Listen below.

Some politicians question the ANC’s reasons for partnering with the DA, the main opposition for many years.

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Msimang says the criticism is strange, as the ANC had to partner with other parties since they only had 40% of the vote.

If they had instead formed a minority government, they may have failed to get budgets passed by parliament or could face votes of no confidence.

He adds that the ANC has a responsibility to the people of South Africa and thus had to partner with parties they could work with.

“You don’t form a government with friends. You form a government with people with whom you have common objectives in principle.”

- Mavuso Msimang, Deputy President - ANC Veterans League

Msimang believes that partnering with the EFF and Jacob Zuma’s MK party would not have worked as well.

One of the major policies both parties push for is the expropriation of land without compensation.

He says there are too many practical issues with this, and it would require changing the Constitution.

“It is just so fundamental that if you do not accept the constitution on which your government is based then you do not get to be a part of the arrangement.”

- Mavuso Msimang, Deputy President - ANC Veterans League

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.