The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Have Raised Concerns That the Ideological Differences Between Political Parties May Impact the Stability of a Government of National Unity (GNU)

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have expressed concerns that ideological differences between political parties in South Africa are likely to undermine the stability of a Government of National Unity (GNU). The party has rejected the African National Congress’s (ANC) proposal to co-govern with every political party represented in the National Assembly. Speaking during a media briefing in Sandton on Friday, EFF deputy leader Floyd Shivambu highlighted the difficulty of parties setting aside their differences. He emphasized that it is not sensible to enter a coalition with parties that oppose key EFF policies such as land expropriation without compensation, free education, and the nationalization of mines.

 

Shivambu stressed the importance of policy agreements aimed at dismantling the enduring legacies of apartheid and colonialism in South Africa. He criticized the ANC’s decision to invite the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus (FF+) to join the GNU, suggesting that it was a regressive move. Shivambu argued that including DA leaders John Steenhuisen and Helen Zille, whom he described as representing a counter-revolutionary agenda, would prevent the EFF from participating in such a government. “If a Government of National Unity means we must have Steenhuisen and Helen Zille who represent a counter-revolutionary agenda as government, we are not going to form part of that nonsense,” he stated.