South Africa's current political landscape presents an opportunity for President Cyril Ramaphosa and the government of national unity to build a lasting legacy. The country's complex history and ongoing challenges require innovative solutions. The DA and many commentators view EFF leader Julius Malema as a potential disruptor. However, his party may hold the key to assisting in nation-building and protecting the country from destructive forces.
Malema's EFF party has significant influence, and his inclusion in the GNU would be a hard sell. Nevertheless, it is not unprecedented. In 1994, Nelson Mandela took a bold step by including Mangosuthu Buthelezi's IFP in the government, despite their tumultuous past. Mandela appointed Buthelezi as the home affairs minister, a decision that ultimately helped bring the IFP into the constitutional fold and end open warfare in hostels and townships.
Today, the stakes are lower, but the logic is similar. Jacob Zuma's MK party is capitalizing on KwaZulu-Natal grievances, traditional identity, and cost-of-living anger. The centrist GNU struggles to counter this narrative, as any criticism from the DA or Ramaphosa is often dismissed as "white monopoly capital" or elite betrayal. Meanwhile, the SACP is considering leaving the tripartite alliance and contesting elections alone.
Malema's EFF offers a radical alternative that operates within the constitutional order. His party's influence should not be underestimated, and GNU parties face risks by excluding him. If shut out of power, Malema and Zuma could potentially unite under a single anti-establishment banner. Critics argue that giving Malema power would reward recklessness, but executive office would impose significant constraints on his actions.
As a minister, Malema would be subject to administrative law, collective responsibility, ethics rules, financial discipline, and parliamentary accountability. These constraints would limit his ability to act unilaterally and ensure that he is answerable for his department's actions. The DA's experience in joining the GNU in 2024 demonstrates that it is possible for parties to work together effectively.
Previous DA leaders, such as Tony Leon and Helen Zille, have been critical of Malema, but Geordin Hill-Lewis has the opportunity to change this approach. Malema has stated that he does not hate white people, and his rhetoric, although polarizing, should not be dismissed outright. The DA's hard line on Malema sits awkwardly with Hill-Lewis's call for "genuine actors" to renegotiate multi-party governance.
Experts warn that a DA-EFF coalition would require significant ongoing management and could potentially hollow out parliamentary opposition. The goal should be to navigate differences in a constructive manner, rather than simply trying to eliminate antagonism and criticism. If Hill-Lewis and Malema fail to engage, MK party benefits the most. The University of Johannesburg's Patrick Bond sees two possible paths for South Africa's future: an ANC-DA centre-right alliance or an ANC-MKP-EFF-SACP arrangement.
Key points
- Malema's inclusion in the GNU would impose significant constraints on his actions.
- The DA's experience in joining the GNU demonstrates that parties can work together effectively.
- Excluding Malema from the GNU could lead to him and Zuma uniting under a single anti-establishment banner.
