Exactly as was expected, after a good deal of offers made and rejected, leaks of information about what took place in meetings happened, counter-offers were made; and finally, a compromise was reached between the ANC and the DA, whereby it was agreed that the DA would get 6 cabinet posts and 6 Deputy-Minister posts. 20 out of a total of 32 posts went to the ANC, which gives them a significant amount of control in Government.
Gauteng: What’s happening there?
Now that the National GNU has resolved the acrimonous battle for posts, the various cabinet ministers can start to knuckle down to the task of ‘saving the country’, as the DA puts it. In Gauteng, according to Helen Ziller, the ANC is acting as if they had won the election and were still running the country; as if they were still in charge and that their drop to receiving only 41% of the votes nationally never happened. Whatever they are ‘smoking’ must be very powerful!
Apparently, the ANC were only a couple of percentage points ahead of the DA in the election, and thus they only hold a very slim lead in that province. Generally; it seems that Guateng, even though it is the biggest economic hub in the country, politically, is a ‘Groot Gemors’. The ANC has been making the DA look quite stupid in the negotiations around Provincial Coalition Government by only offering the DA 3 seats in the Provincial Parliament with the IFP being offered only 1 seat. The truth is that; according to the Provincial Document of Intention that was signed, the negotiations should have preserved mutual co-operation between the various parties, while observing the principals of Proportional Representation – according to the General Election results, which reflected the will of all the citizens of the country.
Helen Ziller, the DA’S National Chairperson, put up a valiant fight in this regard, averring that the 3 seats the ANC offered was not a fair and reasonable offer and did not reflect the spirit of proportional representation, but the DA then realised that their only option in the face of the ANC’S apparent refusal to co-operate with them, was to withdraw from the negotiations around Gauteng Government; while still keeping the door open for further discussion – What A Mess!
The ANC has now officially postponed the announcement of the Provincial Cabinet in Gauteng, due to the withdrawal of the DA from the Provincial Government in Gauteng.
So; We now have a total deadlock in negotiations on government in Gauteng – and it all seems to indicate that if the DA, is not considered by the high-handed ANC as a major participant in government, the party would then take its place as the major party on the opposition benches in Gauteng.
The big question is; in light of the fact that the citizens of Gauteng indicated quite clearly that they considered the DA as being an important cog in the machinery of government that will run Gauteng, – that this deadlock cannot continue and one of the parties will have to offer a compromise! – WHO WILL IT BE?
The answer is – no one yet, because the DA has stated publicly that they have zero interest in joining a coalition with the ANC wherein they will be merely an extension of the ANC’s autocratic rule; thus maintaining the status quo. The DA would much rather lead the opposition benches, and block all attempts by the ANC to perpetuate the evils of BB-BEE AND CADRE DEPLOYMENT with all their might , including lawsuits. They have a powerful mandate from the public in the form of votes; and from that opposition position they can continue to operate to make ‘THE DA DIFFERENCE! and thereby; over time, create a BETTER LIFE FOR ALL!
The ball is right back in the ANC’s court. Let’s hope that they will see the wisdom of backing down a little and offer a compromise solution.
Recent Comments