KwaZulu-Natal’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) has drawn a firm line against including the MK Party or Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in its power-sharing arrangement, according to Democratic Alliance (DA) provincial leader Francois Rodgers.
In a recent interview, Rodgers emphasized the GPU’s unified stance against transferring any provincial authority to the two opposition parties. “Parties in the KZN GPU don’t want to hand the province over to the MK or EFF,” he stated, underscoring the coalition’s determination to maintain its current structure.
The GPU was formed after the 2024 elections resulted in a hung provincial legislature, with no single party securing an outright majority. While supporters view the coalition as an inclusive governance model, critics – particularly the excluded MK Party and EFF – argue it deliberately sidelines certain political voices.
The MK Party, which made a strong debut in the provincial elections, has repeatedly protested its exclusion from governance structures. Similarly, the EFF has condemned the arrangement as undemocratic and unrepresentative of voter preferences. Both parties have positioned themselves as advocates for more radical economic transformation.
Political analysts note KwaZulu-Natal’s evolving political landscape, transitioning from its historical IFP stronghold through ANC dominance to its current era of complex coalition politics. The province’s governance model has become a microcosm of South Africa’s shifting political dynamics, where coalition-building skills are increasingly vital.
[WATCH] DA KZN leader Francois Rodgers says parties in the KZN GPU don't want to hand the province over to the MK or EFF. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/CSJXiX6yMZ
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) April 11, 2025
Local communities remain divided about the GPU’s effectiveness. “Residents care more about service delivery than political configurations,” commented a Durban-based activist, echoing widespread public frustration with persistent service delivery challenges.
Rodgers’ remarks come amid growing pressure from the MK Party and EFF, both demanding greater political representation commensurate with their electoral support. The MK Party in particular has argued its strong showing entitles it to provincial governance participation.
The DA leader’s firm position signals the GPU coalition’s current stability, though observers question how long this unity can withstand mounting opposition pressure. As one of South Africa’s most economically significant provinces, KwaZulu-Natal’s political maneuvers carry national implications.
The full interview with Francois Rodgers, offering further insight into the DA’s perspective on the GPU’s future, is available on Newzroom405’s platforms. The province’s political standoff continues as all parties prepare for the next phase of South Africa’s evolving democratic experiment.
