In a heated statement, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has criticized EFF leaders Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambu for their recent comments on forming a Government of National Unity (GNU) that excludes the ANC. As South Africa prepares for the upcoming elections, Mbalula’s remarks shed light on the intensifying political tension around the country’s governing future.
Mbalula questioned Malema’s suggestion of a GNU without ANC participation, highlighting that both Malema and Shivambu have voiced their intent to rally opposition parties to “surgically remove the ANC” from power. He noted that Malema’s rhetoric has increasingly leaned towards a coalition of opposition forces, including parties like the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the EFF, to reshape the political landscape and challenge the ANC’s leadership.
“Now that election results are out, they have produced what they produced,” Mbalula stated. “Can they work together without the ANC? No. The people of South Africa have spoken, and they’ve indicated that the ANC will remain the bigger leader.”
Shivambu, Deputy President of the EFF, has emphasized a unified opposition to dismantle ANC dominance, stressing that a collaborative approach across party lines is the only effective way to bring about this political shift. His remarks have been seen by ANC members as undermining the party’s standing and disregarding its historic role in shaping South African democracy.
As the political climate intensifies, South African citizens face a critical decision in the upcoming elections, weighing decades of ANC-led governance against the call for a new alliance that could redefine the country’s political foundation. With Mbalula standing firm on the ANC’s legacy, the nation is closely watching how the campaign trail unfolds and whether any alliances or compromises will emerge.