By Doreen Mokgolo
- Dignitaries attended President Ramaphosa’s inauguration, while MK party leader Jacob Zuma protested, saying they don’t recognise the Government of National Unity (GNU).
- Some minority parties, like the ACDP, doubt the GNU’s success, with Kenneth Meshoe predicting it will collapse before Christmas, while Mmusi Maimane emphasised the need for a clear agenda.
Dignitaries from across the world are attending President Cyril Ramaphosa’s inauguration at the Union Buildings, dressed in their best outfits.
The Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party leader and former president Jacob Zuma protested the event, saying the party does not recognise the Government of National Unity (GNU).
Even though the ANC, DA, IFP, PAC, Rise Mzansi and the NFP have reached agreements, some minority political parties are still not convinced that the GNU will succeed in addressing the country’s service delivery challenges.
Kenneth Meshoe, the president of the African Christian Democratic Party, said the GNU partnership will collapse before Christmas.
“I would be surprised if Ramaphosa is still in office before Christmas. His Phala Phala case is waiting for him in parliament. The matter will be part of the agenda in parliament, and he will have to account,” he said.
Meshoe said he was approached by ANC party negotiators but turned their offers down.
“We didn’t want to send a contradicting message to our voters that we are in support of this government. We are South Africans and love our people; they have suffered a lot due to a lack of service delivery.
“The ANC was arrogant when they led alone, but now that other parties have joined them, we hope they will be able to deliver services,” he said.
Build One South Africa president Mmusi Maimane said that, ultimately, the country must treat the GNU as a coalition, and in a coalition, there has to be constructive opposition, or it will collapse.
“We also need to understand who is coalescing with whom and what we are going to do in the next five years. That should be the sole focus.
“A team without an agenda is just a team for a get-together, but the agenda must be foregrounded. If you have an agenda, you can build a functioning state,” Maimane said.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s human sports mascot, Mama Joy, wishes Ramaphosa would elect a woman sports minister and deputy.
Pictured above: Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini attends President Cyril Ramaphosa’s inauguration.
Source: Doreen Mokgolo
