President Cyril Ramaphosa has appealed to members of the Government of National Unity (GNU) to overcome internal rifts and work together to rescue municipalities on the brink of collapse. The call came during a two-day retreat at the Cradle of Humankind that concluded on Saturday, exposing growing unease within the coalition.
What Happened
The closed-door retreat, described by presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya as a “long overdue” dialogue, aimed to foster candid discussions on the state of local government. Insiders say the tone turned sombre as Ramaphosa emphasized that South Africa’s municipalities are failing due to political divisions and poor service delivery.
“Our people are suffering because municipalities are failing. We must make them work — and we must do it together,” an ANC insider quoted Ramaphosa as saying.
Opposition representatives confirmed that the session focused heavily on service delivery failures and the looming 2026 local elections. However, the absence of a public agenda and a directive for secrecy have fueled speculation about instability within the GNU.
Official Response
According to Magwenya, the retreat was intended to provide GNU partners with a platform to “engage openly and without media scrutiny.” Despite this, reports indicate that Ramaphosa faces mounting pressure from within his own party, amid friction with DA leader John Steenhuisen and senior ANC figures such as former president Thabo Mbeki.
Political analyst Dr John Molepo noted that the gathering underscores a leadership crisis.
“Ramaphosa’s call for unity shows awareness of the municipal crisis,” Molepo explained. “But if his authority is questioned within his ranks, it weakens the GNU’s stability.”
Community Impact
The deepening divisions in the GNU threaten to derail service delivery efforts across the country. Analysts warn that unless coalition partners find common ground, ordinary citizens will continue to bear the cost of failing local governance.
“Political infighting overshadows the real need for solutions,” Molepo added. “If Ramaphosa cannot rebuild trust among GNU partners, the nation’s municipalities will remain in disarray.”
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