GNU to wrap closed-door, 2-day meeting assessing state of the coalition

Parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU) have re-started talks on the state of the coalition after President Cyril Ramaphosa finally convened a meeting at the Cradle of Humankind, in Krugersdorp, in the west of Joburg.

Ramaphosa is said to have summoned other leaders from the 10-party coalition to a retreat amid ongoing efforts to find common ground on internal policy disputes.

While an agenda for the meeting has not been made public, the two-day meeting is expected to wrap up on Monday with a clearer plan on the future of the GNU.

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen, Rise Mzansi’s Songezo Zibi, Good Party’s Brett Herron, the Inkatha Freedom Party’s (IFP)’s Velenkosini Hlabisa, United Democratic Movement (UDM) Bantu Holomisa and Freedom Front (FF) Plus leader Corner Mulder were among those at the table on day one of the meeting on Sunday.

ALSO READ: GNU's clearing house mechanism adopts terms of reference

Ramaphosa – who sat next to his deputy and co-chair – Paul Mashatile made small talk with party leaders about international trips following his recent return from Malaysia.

“You know what I actually want us to inaugurate, when we go on trips is not so much to do reports but to say what did we learn.”

On official GNU business, the Presidency said the retreat has provided a platform for political leadership to reflect on collaboration among parties within the framework of the 2024 post-election statement of intent.

Although still vague, the closed-door meeting is said to have focused on the functioning of the coalition, its possible expansion and the 2026 budget.