Macpherson: 'I work until I don't and I'm a minister until I'm not'
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson is not fazed by the uncertainty in Cabinet and will continue working despite Government of National Unity (GNU) tensions and threats of a split.
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson. Picture: Babalo Ndenze/EWN
CAPE TOWN - Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson is not fazed by the uncertainty in Cabinet and will continue working despite Government of National Unity (GNU) tensions and threats of a split.
But he said that the Democratic Alliance (DA)'s leadership was "emphatic" in its desire to stay in the GNU despite challenging the budget fiscal framework in court after its adoption with a VAT increase.
Leadership structures of the DA and African National Congress (ANC) are now currently busy with talks on how to save the GNU, as the likes of ActionSA and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) wait on the sidelines in case they're asked to join the coalition.
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Macpherson is one of six DA ministers in President Cyril Ramaphosa's Cabinet and one of the most visible in his portfolio that's tasked with building South Africa and also makes him the government landlord.
But Macpherson said he served at the behest of his party and the president and would continue putting in the work hours until either the ANC or the DA decided on what happens in the GNU.
"I work until I don't and I'm a minister until I'm not. Those will be determined by the leaders of my party and I'm sure leaders of other parties and our leader of the DA, John Steenhuisen, was emphatic that the party would like to stay in the GNU."
He said that South Africa was at a critical juncture and any decision must be well considered.
"I think the collaborative efforts between the parties in the GNU is crucially important for South Africa."
While the DA's federal executive is still to decide on its future, the ANC's national working committee is expected to meet to reflect on what happened last week in the GNU.