By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has urged the African National Congress (ANC) and Democratic Alliance (DA) to finalise negotiations for forming a Government of National Unity (GNU), expressing concern over the ongoing stalemate.
Tense negotiations, mainly between the ANC and the DA, led to delays this week of President Cyril Ramaphosa announcing his cabinet in the GNU.
Fears were heightened and markets reacted badly to news of DA leader John Steenhuisen threatening to withdraw from the coalition amid leaks of letters between the two parties’ leaders showing them at loggerheads.
But by Friday, as Ramaphosa was due to meet Steenhuisen, the political bartering that characterised the last two weeks of talks showed signs of an imminent agreement.
The outcome of this afternoon’s meeting is anticipated to determine whether or not the DA will remain part of the GNU. On Friday morning, Ramaphosa announced that the opening of Parliament will take place on Thursday, 18 July, which is former national president Nelson Mandela’s birthday.
IFP President Velenkosini Hlabisa said like all South Africans, the party is increasingly concerned about the finalisation of the GNU and the announcement of Ramaphosa’s cabinet.
“From the outset, the IFP has maintained that those discussions should be respected and given space to pave the way forward.
“So, when alarmist reports began to emerge of a potential stalemate between the ANC and the DA, the IFP was not immediately concerned. There was, as far as we could see, no crisis. We understood that there will be necessary teething problems in the formation of a government of national unity. Now, however, like all South Africans, the IFP is growing concerned,” Hlabisa said.
Hlabisa said the IFP’s concern is for a country that is “eager to move forward.”
“The work of governance must begin. We cannot remain in a holding pattern, when there is so much to be done.
“It is essential that the President, as the Constitution allows him, be able to reach the stage of announcing the new cabinet. The IFP is thus calling on the ANC, the DA, and any other party, to conclude the outstanding issues between them without further delay, ” Hlabisa said.
Hlabisa said the IFP is ready to serve.
“We accept the President’s ultimate prerogative to make his appointments as he sees fit. I have full confidence that the leader of the ANC is deliberating with the best interests of our country in mind. And I have no doubt that the leader of the DA is doing the same.
“The IFP remains committed to the government of national unity, and we stand ready to play our part in the service of the nation,” Hlabisa said.
He also expressed the IFP’s “ongoing commitment” to working in partnership for the good in the provincial GNU in KwaZulu-Natal.