By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane says his party remains committed to playing a role in building one South Africa, which remains their north star whether in government or on the opposition benches.
Maimane led a delegation on Friday to meet African National Congress (ANC) negotiation team over the Government of National Unity (GNU).
He pointed out concerns regarding what he believes is a lack of defined plans for the country’s next phase of administration, suggesting that involvement seemed to focus more on negotiating positions rather than committing to a cohesive plan of action for South Africa.
He has called for the ANC to fine-tune its GNU statement of intent to give a clearer agenda and scope.
So far – ten parties, including the ANC, Democratic Alliance (DA), and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) are part of the GNU.
Maimane said his party has not opted in yet because the existing statement of intent falls short in some aspects.
“We believe inherently that we need a plan to foreground any government – that it cannot be the patronage of politicians, but rather the focus on policy that delivers for the people, the 60 million South Africans.”
Maimane said that if his party were to join the GNU, a dialogue between all political parties would be necessary to “piece together that plan”.
He said BOSA has some non-negotiables that it put on the table.
This includes plans for reforming education, eradicating crime, zero tolerance for corruption, a mixed economy that creates jobs, as well as justice and redress.
Maimane described the meeting with the ANC as fruitful.
Bosa holds a firm line on whether we join the GNU, or any other governing arrangement. We are not in principle against joining the national government. However, we cannot commit to or reject any GNU without knowing or agreeing to the actual agenda of said government, added Maimane.
Meanwhile President Cyril Ramaphosa, leader of the African National Congress, and Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen met on Friday to resolve an impasse over the formation of the cabinet.
Fullview understands both leaders are nearing an agreement over how positions in the executive will be shared.
An announcement on the new executive may be made in the coming days, according to our sources.
Ramaphosa and Steenhuisen may face push-back to their agreement from some members of the decision-making bodies of both parties, who’ve yet to be consulted on the deal.
The agreement comes after ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said earlier on Friday that a deal on the next government is “almost done,” signalling that a dispute over cabinet posts had been resolved.