President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to finalize his cabinet appointments imminently, as confirmed by presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.
With the opening of parliament set for 18 July, coinciding with International Nelson Mandela Day at the Cape Town City Hall, there is a palpable sense of urgency to resolve ongoing political negotiations.
The discussions between Ramaphosa and Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen have hit several roadblocks. A bid to seal a Government of National Unity (GNU) deal failed earlier this week after the DA rejected Ramaphosa’s revised offer.
[ Mbalula Says GNU Talks Near Conclusion, Provides Crucial Updates ]
The DA had initially agreed to an offer which was later altered by Ramaphosa, substituting the ministerial position for the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) with the Department of Tourism. This alteration reportedly infuriated the DA’s leadership.
In a heated exchange, Ramaphosa accused Steenhuisen of “moving the goalposts” after the African National Congress (ANC) had made a final offer of six cabinet posts. The DA then demanded two more posts, which escalated tensions further.
“Magwenya emphasized the urgency of concluding these talks, stating that the president is committed to announcing his cabinet “as soon as it’s humanly possible.”
Political analyst Ebrahim Fakir has criticized the handling of the power-sharing talks, suggesting that South Africans are losing trust in political parties, particularly the ANC and the DA.
Fakir emphasized that the formation of the government should prioritize the citizens and voters, a sentiment that appears to be overlooked in the ongoing negotiations.
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