After it met with the Democratic Alliance (DA), the African National Congress (ANC) said it would not compromise on the fundamental goals of social and economic justice, equity, and transformation.
“The ANC remains rooted in its values and resolutions… South Africa must come first,” it said.
“As leaders, we owe it to the people of this country — black and white, young and old — to rise above narrow political interests and work together in the spirit of unity and shared progress”.
In a statement, the DA said the discussions were forthright and constructive, focusing on the way forward on matters ranging from the budget to a strategy for economic growth.
“Similar meetings will continue regularly as we seek to address the most pressing challenges facing South Africa in the GNU,” it said.
The two parties met on Friday in Johannesburg for a fresh round of budget and GNU talks amid mounting divisions in government.
The DA has unequivocally reaffirmed its commitment to remaining within the GNU, despite escalating tensions with the ANC.
A deadlock over the national budget has brought the GNU to a critical juncture, with divisions intensifying around Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s controversial proposal to increase the value-added tax (VAT) by 0.5%.
Although Godongwana officially withdrew the VAT hike on Wednesday evening, the decision has done little to ease the strain between the two governing parties.
The DA has expressed strong disapproval of the ANC’s approach to conflict resolution, urging the ruling party to refrain from involving external stakeholders who are not formal participants in the unity government.
Politics
