POLITRICKING | 'This is not a DA GNU', 'a phobia of the DA, feels cowardice': Gungubele on Mapaila's GNU stance

On Monday, when the African National Congress (ANC) shut off streets around its Luthuli House headquarters in the Johannesburg CBD, it claimed the event, which saw thousands of party faithful gathered to mark 100 days since the birth of the second iteration of the Government of National Unity (GNU) was a reflection of how far it has come, since entering into a coalition government. 

Some outside of the ANC struggled to define the event, with the party’s alliance partner, the South African Communist Party (SACP) going as far as snubbing the celebrations.

This was to register its disapproval of the GNU, an ANC-led coalition, including nine other political parties, among them the DA. 

The ANC has labelled the decision by the communist party not to attend the event as “unfortunate”. 

ANC national executive committee (NEC) member Mondli Gungubele, who is this week’s guest on Politricking with Tshidi Madia, a politics podcast by EWN also shared his thoughts on the current resistance voiced by Solly Mapaila, the general secretary of the SACP.

“How Solly conducts himself is neither here nor there, I am one of those who respect his views but I get worried when he conducts those views in the manner he does,” remarks Gungubele.

The deputy communications minister says it has to be remembered that the GNU was birthed through the failure of any political party to secure a clear majority at the polls.

In also reflecting on the ANC lekgotla, which included its alliance partners Gungubele says in a formal space, the SACP’s national chairperson Blade Nzimande, who is also a GNU minister supported the current direction of power-sharing being explored by the ANC.

“This is not a DA GNU…” says Gungubele.

"To just have a phobia of the [GNU] because it’s the DA to me sounds very cowardice,” he adds. 

Gungubele, basing his arguments on the long-standing relationship between the two parties, which form the alliance movement argues that its perfectly fine for the SACP to not see eye to eye with the ANC, stating that it would be a “sick movement,” if they always agreed on everything.

He says what’s kept the former liberation movement strong even with its differing views was being able to avoid undermining the common destination or its long-term vision.

“The party historically has always been a voice of reason, even in the most controversial moment, it’s been at the centre of solution enhancement, it’s always been clear in stabilising situation, it’s not been a party of sideline protests,” he observed.

The NEC member has also been somewhat adversely impacted by the GNU formation, which saw him losing his post as a minister and being appointed as a deputy in the same portfolio he headed, only now though, serving under a DA minister.

But he says this hasn’t dented his zeal for the job. 

“My attitude is always like this; my contribution must be a value add at any point in time when we are dealing with a particular historic test… the historic test that we are confronted with now, is to be part of an unusual thing, which we never anticipated,” says politician.

He also tells EWN he will measure the success of the current coalition based on the improvement of the country’s economy, which will be expressed through the number of young South Africans who find employment.

Gungubele also stressed the need for local government to be turned around in the country, accepting that over time municipalities have been run in a manner that undermines the dignity of ordinary people.

“If GNU doesn’t deliver, there will be a huge price to pay… I have confidence that it will,” he says.