Cabinet lekgotla opportunity for Ramaphosa to set the tone for GNU, say analysts
Political analyst Sanusha Naidu said this meeting will be the first time members of the GNU will get a proper feel of each other in work mode.
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers his 2023 State of the Nation Address. Picture: GCIS
JOHANNESBURG - As members of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) cabinet meet for their first lekgotla, analysts say he also has an opportunity to set the tone of how the coalition must work over the next five years.
The cabinet lekgotla which is taking place in Pretoria this weekend will include all members of the national executive as well as premiers across all nine provinces.
This meeting is where the president and his government set out priorities for the country over the next five years.
It will be followed by an opening of Parliament next week.
Political analyst Sanusha Naidu said this meeting will be the first time members of the GNU will get a proper feel of each other in work mode.
“How they’re going to relate to each other, just the kind of interpersonal hook to how they will interact, to how they respond… etc… but it's also a first sight for President Ramaphosa as well, to get a sense of how this GNU will operationalise itself.”
Meanwhile, Professor Kedibone Phago from the University of the North West said finding a social contract or establishing a joint policy perspective for the GNU might not be too difficult.
He said the work done post the 29 May elections and the appointment of a cabinet is likely to soften many, despite their different political leanings.
“I think it really needs a lot of maturity, and a lot of leadership but I think because there have been many positive developments in terms of the success of the ANC [African National Congress] in galvanising others to form this government national unity and ensuring there is a statement of intent.”
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