Leon believes the tensions between the DA & ANC in the GNU will benefit both parties in some form

CAPE TOWN - Former Democratic Alliance (DA) leader, Tony Leon, believes however the tensions between the African National Congress (ANC) and the DA play out in the Government of National Unity (GNU), it will have benefited both parties in one way or another.

Speaking to the Cape Town Press Club on Monday about his sixth book, titled Being There, Leon believes an "anti-DA" sentiment can have political mileage for both parties as they head to their respective elective conferences.

Leon, who was one of the DA's GNU negotiators, said it was part of healthy political debate for both parties to have disagreements over the DA's presence within the GNU.

While Leon doesn’t believe the GNU has yet made any notable achievements in turning the country’s misfortunes around, he said praise was due for keeping the partnership together, considering the battles it’s already faced.

"I think that in itself shows a degree of maturity on both sides, because they are both relatively big parties, who have differences of opinion, and to still have maintained the government is an achievement."

He predicted two upcoming stress points for the two major parties, the next local government elections and the ANC’s 2027 leadership contest.

"I think if someone like Paul Mashatile is elected as the president of the ANC, which must have some prospect, I would be surprised if the GNU lasts to 2029."

Leon said that even within the DA itself, where the party is not unanimous on whether the GNU has been a sage political move, there should be ongoing descensus and debate over whether it should stay, go, or renegotiate its terms.