MK Party Not Interested in Joining the Government of National Unity

• The uMkhonto Wesizwe Party responded to reports that the African National Congress may expand the Government of National Unity
• This was after the African National Congress recently indicated its plans to expand the coalition government
• The Party denied that the ANC approached it, and the Economic Freedom Fighters, and the DA's John Steenhuisen did not support the inclusion of the MK Party

With over seven years at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News, Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist, offered insights into South African politics, national, provincial, and local governance, the Government of National Unity, political parties, and Parliament.

JOHANNESBURG — The uMkhonto Wesizwe Party (MK Party) is not interested in joining the Government of National Unity (GNU) after Democratic Alliance (DA) president John Steenhuisen said on 11 August 2025 in Johannesburg that adding the MK Party to the GNU could complicate the coalition.

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According to IOL, the party's spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, said that the party is not in discussions with the ANC to join the GNU and said it will never join the GNU, which it considers a coalition that sold black people out. He said that the party cannot be used to clean up the decision the ANC made in selling black people out.

Steenhuisen worried about GNU expansion

Steenhuisen spoke during the party's press conference, where it unveiled its proposed changes to the Black Economic Empowerment Act, the Employment Equity Act, and the Expropriation Act. He said that the GNU already has 10 parties and is one of the largest coalitions in the world.

Steenhuisen pointed out that energy should be focused on improving relations within the GNU, particularly how conflict and dispute resolution are tackled. He said that the ANC has not engaged the DA on expanding the GNU.

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What did the ANC say about the GNU?

The ANC indicated on 4 August that it planned to expand the coalition government. It said that it is in talks with other political parties. Party President Cyril Ramaphosa said it will approach other parties in the GNU with plans of expansion.

However, the Freedom Front Plus (FFP) objected to the ANC's plan to expand the coalition government. The party's leader, Dr Connie Mulder, said that the ANC wants to safeguard its position in government and stay in power.

The ANC, DA, Patriotic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, Good Party, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, FFP United Democratic Movement, Al Jama-ah, and Rise Mzansi formed the Government of National Unity in June 2024, a month after the 2024 general elections. No political party won a majority in the elections, and the ANC lost its majority vote for the first time in 30 years.

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What did South Africans say?

Netizens weighed in on the possibility of the MK Party joining the GNU.

Leo Sithembiso Sibaya said:

"We will not be able to build this country by excluding others. But we need to learn to negotiate effectively and persuade others."

Leon Rossouw said:

"All it would represent is the ANC's attempt to get rid of the SA or get enough support for itself to carry on misgoverning."

Ramson Ras said:

"Inviting all parties shows that democracy is well in motion."

Musa Sosibo said:

"The DA is very scared of the MKP and the EFF."

Alex Wiliams said:

"You need to extend a hand of invitation to all parties that can make a contribution to the well-being of SA."

Cyril Ramaphosa says GNU can overcome challenges

In a related article, Briefly News reported that Ramaphosa said the GNU can overcome its challenges and disagreements. He spoke during a Parliamentary debate on 17 July.

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Ramaphosa said that it required courage and bravery to tackle the country's challenges. He remarked that the GNU was committed to rapid and sustainable economic growth.

Source: Briefly News