By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has lashed out at its partner in the Government of National Unity (GNU), Democratic Alliance (DA), accusing it of being anti-transformation amid talks of a reset coalition government.
The ANC’s Naional Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held over the weekend resolved to have discussions with other political parties with a view of expanding the GNU.
Mbalula said the ANC had resolved at its four-day national executive committee meeting held last Friday to Monday to begin speaking to other political parties about joining the GNU, a move which would dilute the DA’s power.
“The DA wanted to have a marriage between us. Those who want to leave can leave, but this country must not collapse, and it will not collapse at the hands of the ANC; it’s going to succeed going forward. They advocated for sanctions against our country, disguised as tariffs to hit us.
South Africa is bracing for a 30% tariff on exports to the US to kick in on 7 August. The country is among several around the world facing punitive tariffs from the US as it moves to protect its own manufacturers.
Mbalula said while the tariffs would negatively affect the economy, it would not abandon policies such as black economic empowerment to appease Washington.
He said the Trump administration was asking the ANC to abandon its ideals and adopt a position similar to the DA, with which it has clashed over transformation policies, leading to tension in the GNU led by the two parties.
“You are asking the ANC to abandon what we stand for, to stop struggling, close shop and become something. We are not DA — the DA will address that because they do not want affirmative action, they don’t want redress, they don’t believe in transformation,”Mbalula said.
“It’s not going to be possible. If it means we have to suffer sanctions from the US, let it be. We will never beg imperialists to subvert our democracy, to subvert our sovereignty,” he said.
“It happened during the period of struggle, it will happen even now, we will never forsake what we fought for … and we are still marching even now.”
Mbalula mocked 49 South Africans who left the country and were reportedly granted special status in the US under Donald Trump’s administration.
“Forty-nine car guards went to America. Trump gave them special status, saying South Africa is a racist country.Some didn’t even leave. Those who did ended up in court cases, including for murder. And then they go and badmouth our country.”
Meanwhile, ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa said during the closing session of the ANC NEC meeting, that government would continue its engagements with the US with a view of normalising trade relations and generally strengthening bilateral relations.
He said at the same time that South Africa should invest in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area and diversify its export markets.