Rise Mzansi signs GNU statement of intent

In a statement on Saturday, the party said its national leadership collective had met to discuss its approach to the GNU, and made the decision to sign the statement of intent.

 Other parties in the GNU include the Democratic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, Freedom Front Plus, and the Good Party, among others.

“South Africans have expressed the need to be represented by new leaders who are capable, caring, and ethical, which is the platform on which we conveyed our politics." 

“We believe that the GNU presents an opportunity for collaboration and to influence the implementation of the issues found in our people’s manifesto. These include ensuring that hunger and food security are urgently addressed, freeing communities from crime and violence, delivering spatial and land justice that reshape our urban and rural spaces to build thriving communities and economy, and delivering economic justice to millions of South Africans who remain marginalized and poor, and the climate crisis is given the urgent attention it deserves to protect lives and livelihoods,” said party leader Songezo Zibi.

In less than two years of its existence, Rise Mzansi garnered nearly 140,000 of the national vote, earning two seats in the National Assembly, during the national and provincial elections held last month.

No party, including the African National Congress which had governed since the dawn of democracy, managed to secure an outright majority. This led to coalition talks under the GNU banner. 

Under this agreement, the ANC’s Cyril Ramaphosa returned for his second term as president and was officially inaugurated on Wednesday.  

 This latest move by Rise Mzansi comes amid speculation over the makeup of President Ramaphosa’s cabinet.

Ramaphosa has the task of constituting a cabinet that reflects not only the ANC but also its GNU partners.

 Roles in cabinet and parliamentary portfolio committees as said to be in proportion to a party’s share of seats in the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, commissioner of the National Planning Commission and senior research fellow Lebohang Pheko says South Africa has the opportunity to redefine coalition politics.

“[This presents] the opportunity, potentially, for this coalition to begin to pull the talents and ideas and begin to think around a collaborative approach to governance.” 

On Friday, the United Democratic Movement announced that it had accepted the invitation to join the GNU

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