Ramaphosa commits to making GNU work despite disagreements over past year

CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa said that tackling the country’s many challenges required great courage and bravery.

But he recommitted to making the Government of National Unity (GNU) work, despite the disagreements over the past year.

Replying to Wednesday's marathon parliamentary debate on the budget of the Presidency on Thursday afternoon, Ramaphosa said the disputes were to be expected.

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During debate on Wednesday, the UDM said the GNU remained on shaky ground because of a lack of a binding coalition agreement, proper policy discussion forums and dispute resolution mechanisms.

But a year since its formation, President Ramaphosa said the GNU remained committed to rapid and sustainable economic growth and to tackle the huge challenges the country faces.

"Some of which are a legacy of our past, and some of which are of our own doing, but some of which we have to face with a great deal of courage and bravery."

He said that despite the differences in policy positions of the coalition partners, the GNU was committed to working together.

"There have indeed been disagreements and disputes among GNU members as you would expect them to be, and yet despite those differences, the GNU partners have chosen to work together for the common good of all South Africans."

Ramaphosa said that while opposition parties had claimed that government had made scant progress in improving the quality of life, it was unfair not to acknowledge the achievements made since the dawn of democracy.