ActionSA has not discussed joining GNU amid budget talks - Athol Trollip
ActionSA and the ANC appear to be reaching some agreement on negotiations around the budget.
ActionSA parliamentary leader, Athol Trollip, during debate on the State of the Nation Address in Parliament on 11 February 2025. Picture: GCIS
702’s Clement Manyathela speaks with ActionSA Parliamentary Leader Athol Trollip.
Listen below:
For the national budget to pass, the ANC needs support from other Government of National Unity (GNU) partners or smaller parties.
The DA, the second largest party in the GNU, has rejected some of the proposals put forward by the ANC which has led to the ruling party looking at its other options.
The ANC had approached smaller parties, including ActionSA, for support, raising questions about whether they would join the GNU.
ANC chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli says ActionSA has been very reasonable with their proposed interventions regarding the budget.
"We do not believe we should be taxing the man on the street who is already struggling to make ends meet.”
- Athol Trollip, Parliamentary leader - ActionSA
“What we do not want to see is any more uncertainty which will imperil our global ratings… We need to get this country working.”
- Athol Trollip, Parliamentary leader - ActionSA
RELATED: South Africa could save R1.5bn a year by ‘cutting the fat’ in cabinet – Action SA
Despite this agreement, Trollip says he has not been involved in any discussions about joining the GNU.
“This is not a transactional negotiation.”
- Athol Trollip, Parliamentary leader - ActionSA
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview for more.