S/Africa: ANC, DA to strike deal on proposed Unity Govt

By Mark Ogagan

The impasse between South Africa’s leading parties, the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) could end soon as a deal looks imminent on the formation of a Government of National Unity (GNU).

President Cyril Ramaphosa met with DA leader John Steenhuisen on Friday, to iron out some of the outstanding issues relating to the constitution of the executive.

Insiders have reliably informed local media that a deal could be reached by the end of this weekend. This after the President stressed the urgency of constituting his executive in a letter penned to the DA.

Meanwhile, other parties in the GNU have raised concerns over the delay and called for a speedy resolution to the impasse.

The ANC Chief Whip in Parliament, Mdumiseni Ntuli, has said the DA is not holding the party hostage with its demands over the GNU.

Ntuli says the demands from the DA are not preventing the process from being finalised.