ANC And DA Struggle To Find Common Ground In Power-Sharing Talks

Holifil

31 Mar, 2025

The ANC remains firm on sharing only two oversight committee chairperson roles with the DA.
Tensions flare in Tshwane as the DA and ANC clash over governance, leaving Helen Zille frustrated.
South Africans remind the ANC that they don't have a majority and must collaborate with others.

Tensions are escalating within the GNU as Helen Zille expresses dissatisfaction with the ANC, while Mdumiseni Ntuli reveals the ANC’s reluctance to share more power with the DA. Image: Jaco Marais/ Darren Stewart. Source: Getty Images

Hey there, let’s dive right in. It’s been over 100 days since the Government of National Unity (GNU) took office, and let’s just say things aren’t exactly smooth sailing between the two major players—the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the African National Congress (ANC). While they’ve managed to find some common ground, the disagreements are piling up, and it’s becoming clear that these two parties have some serious differences to work through.

Now, picture this: they’ve got to figure out how to share the oversight committee roles, and it’s not going well. The DA wants a fair split, but the ANC seems to be holding onto the reins pretty tightly. This power struggle isn’t just happening at the national level—it’s spilling over into the provinces too, particularly in Tshwane.

Understanding the Oversight Committees

Let’s break it down. There are six joint oversight committees in Parliament, and each one is made up of members from both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). Each committee has two chairpersons, one from each house. Sounds pretty straightforward, right? Well, not exactly. The DA has been pushing for an equal split of these roles, but the ANC isn’t exactly rolling out the red carpet.

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These committees play a crucial role in holding the government accountable. They’re the watchdogs, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and transparently. So, when one party refuses to share these positions fairly, it raises some serious questions about their commitment to good governance.

ANC Draws the Line

Here’s where things get interesting. ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli made it crystal clear that the ANC is only willing to give the DA two of these six committee chairperson roles. He explained, “Now the compromise is to support them to chair two of those committees and the rest to be chaired by the ANC.”

But the DA isn’t buying it. They believe the ANC wants to dominate all six committees, effectively sidelining them from the decision-making process. This stance has left many questioning the ANC’s intentions. Are they truly committed to power-sharing, or are they trying to maintain control at all costs?

Tensions Rise in Tshwane

It’s not just about Parliament. The disputes between the ANC and DA extend to the provinces, particularly in Tshwane. The ANC recently filed a motion of no confidence against DA’s Cilliers Brink, the head of the council. This move didn’t sit well with Helen Zille, who accused the ANC of playing dirty.

Zille revealed that the DA had pulled out of talks with the ANC in other metros after the ANC decided to oust Brink. She emphasized that this decision was a clear sign that the ANC wasn’t interested in genuine collaboration. It’s a heated exchange that highlights the deep divisions between these two parties.

South Africans Speak Out

The people of South Africa aren’t staying quiet. They’ve taken to social media to voice their opinions, and many are reminding the ANC that they didn’t win a majority in the elections. This means they need to work with others to govern effectively.

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Simmone Bouch put it plainly: “ANC, you didn’t win an outright majority. You need to share positions.” Janse Van Vuuren Alicia added, “He is so scared to work with the DA because then they won’t be able to steal.”

Sha Moagiseng echoed these sentiments, noting, “Someone needs to remind the ANC that they did not win the elections, therefore they need to share the power. What are they afraid of?”

And then there’s @AntEater696969, who summed it up perfectly: “ANC forgot how terrible they did in elections. After 100 days they think they won the elections and want all the positions. Delusional. They still need to eat their humble pie and share power with the DA.”

Herman Mashaba Joins the Fray

Meanwhile, Herman Mashaba, the leader of ActionSA, has weighed in on the situation. He recently criticized the DA, accusing them of stabbing him in the back. Mashaba explained that he couldn’t work with a party that would betray him. This comment came as ActionSA voted against Cilliers Brink as Tshwane Mayor, further complicating the already tense political landscape.

It’s clear that the road ahead is going to be bumpy. The ANC and DA need to find a way to work together if they want to deliver real change for South Africans. Only time will tell if they can set aside their differences and focus on what truly matters—the well-being of the nation.