GNU ministers can't claim accomplishments as that of their parties - Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa said ministers representing their various parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU) cannot claim achievements in their portfolios as that of their political parties.

He said the GNU must work as a collective and the progress they’ve made has been on the back of their predecessors.

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Using the analogy of beavers building nests, Ramaphosa on Thursday concluded the two-day debate on his State of the Nation Address (SONA), saying beavers are a reminder that real building is rarely a solo act.

After encouraging South Africans to build together like weaver birds in 2025’s SONA, last week Ramaphosa steered clear of analogies.

But in concluding his reply to the debate, Ramaphosa once again asked South Africans to rally together – this time like beavers building a safe refuge.

“It doesn’t happen through noise or ego. It happens through coordination, consistency, a shared purpose, and cooperation.”

He said while members of Parliament (MPs) debated his address on behalf of their political parties, in his Cabinet, they don’t represent their jackets.

“No minister or deputy minister should be publicly claiming their work in the GNU as an achievement of their party. In many cases, the basis for their achievements were laid before they even came into office.”

Ramaphosa said it’s the commitment to partnership and shared responsibility that has guided the work of the GNU so far and which will stand it in good stead for what still lies ahead.