The structure housed in the office of deputy president Paul Mashatile that was established to resolve policy disputes within the government of national unity (GNU) has deferred a decision on the contentious Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act and other legislation to its next meeting.
The GNU’s clearing house mechanism held its inaugural meeting on Wednesday, three months since the formation of the new coalition government. Its next meeting is scheduled for October 30, when it is expected to receive reports on the way forward for the Bela Act, SA’s preparedness for hosting the Group of 20 (G20) summit in 2025 and preparations for the national dialogue, which is likely to be held in 2025.
The structure will also finalise its terms of reference at its next meeting. The draft terms of reference were discussed at Wednesday’s meeting but not adopted.
Members of the GNU have already clashed over National Health Insurance, which Ramaphosa signed into law in May, with health minister Aaron Motsoaledi doubling down on the scheme in July by saying he was determined to push ahead with it despite legal challenges and opposition by political parties.
Regarding the Bela Act, the DA previously said it had instructed its lawyers to keep preparing for court action on both the process leading up to the signing of the bill and its substance on constitutional grounds. Ramaphosa signed the bill into law in September but delayed the implementation of controversial clauses for three months to allow for further engagement.
Mashatile’s spokesperson, Keith Khoza, said in a statement that the meeting next week would also “deal with challenges at provincial and local government level”.
He said it was “appreciated that contradictions were inevitable in coalition governments and that learning from countries who have such coalitions is the best mechanism to employ towards achieving the goals set out in the statement of intent, and achieving the three strategic priorities of the GNU: to drive inclusive growth and job creation; to reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living; and to build a capable, ethical and developmental state”. .
The GNU was formed after the May 29 elections in which the ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time. The GNU comprises the ANC, DA, Patriotic Alliance (PA), IFP, GOOD, the PAC, Freedom Front Plus (FF+), UDM, Al Jama-ah and Rise Mzansi.
At Wednesday’s meeting, the ANC was represented by monitoring & evaluation minister Maropene Ramokgopa and ANC chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli. The minister of public works & infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, represented the DA while the IFP was represented by deputy minister of transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa.
The meeting was also attended by Brett Herron from GOOD, Apa Pooe from the PAC, Corné Mulder from FF+, Kenny Kunene from the PA, Kabelo Gwamanda from Al Jama-ah and Makashule Gana from Rise Mzansi, while apologies were noted from deputy minister of defence Bantu Holomisa of the UDM.
Prof Ntsikelelo Breakfast from the Nelson Mandela University said the clearing house mechanism creates accountability within the GNU because it ensures that no single party’s policy positions take precedence over the others.
“Compromises will have to be made in this arrangement. When ironing out these issues, they will have to put the country first and not themselves,” Breakfast said.
Political analyst Lukhona Mnguni said the clearing house is a platform to resolve disputes, which can also be used as a platform for relationship building among the GNU partners.
“The clearing house mechanism can help take the heat off the political leaders of various parties and allow for greater testing of ideas. It alleviates pressure from party leaders so that by the time party leaders are meeting there has been some work done to negotiate areas of difference.”
Update: October 17 2024
This story has been updated with new information.
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