Ramaphosa extols green hydrogen as future driver of Africa-wide growth
President Ramaphosa on Thursday championed green hydrogen as Africa's future, but can the continent's ambitious dream overcome the reality of prohibitive costs and a risk-averse international financial regimen?
'Africa is uniquely positioned to become a major player in green hydrogen because it has abundant renewable resources that manifest themselves in high solar irradiation, strong winds and hydropower potential,' said President Cyril Ramaphosa.
He was speaking at what was once called the South Africa Green Hydrogen Summit, now positioned as the Africa Green Hydrogen Summit, in Cape Town on Thursday.
'The vast land of our continent lends itself to large-scale renewable energy projects. We are therefore perfectly placed to leverage the global shift towards cleaner energy sources for our collective advantage as the entire continent.
'Green hydrogen is a way to marry our continent's mineral riches with our renewable energy endowments to decarbonise particularly heavy industries, to create jobs, to stimulate investment and to unlock inclusive growth across the various borders,' said Ramaphosa.
Green hydrogen is produced by using renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power to split water into hydrogen and oxygen through a process called electrolysis.
This hydrogen can then be used as an emission-free energy source and carrier for applications such as fuel cells or industrial processes, and is seen as being key to decarbonising 'hard-to-abate' or 'hard-to-electrify' sectors such as long-haul transport, chemicals, and iron and steel.
Green hydrogen is of particular interest in South Africa because of the country's strategic advantages.
The independent non-profit economic research institution Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies says that 'South Africa's rich endowment of ideal weather conditions for solar and wind-power generation, technological capabilities around the Fischer-Tropsch process, and access to platinum resources place the country at an advantage for developing the hydrogen value chain and being a key supplier into the global hydrogen market.'
Ramaphosa noted that more than 52 large-scale green hydrogen projects had been launched across the continent, including in South Africa.
'To date, South Africa has invested more than R1.5-billion in our Hydrogen South Africa programme,' he said.
Yet despite the President's bullishness, the reality of green hydrogen projects in South Africa and beyond paints a more complex picture.
Daily Maverick reported in April that Namibia's HyIron Oshivela plant successfully produced green hydrogen for the first time, giving South Africa's neighbour to the northwest the lead in its implementation of its green hydrogen-related plans.
South Africa's Hydrogen Society Roadmap, adopted in 2021, outlines an ambitious vision. While the initiative — which includes plans for a Hydrogen Valley industrial cluster and the Boegoebaai project in the Northern Cape — is substantial on paper, its implementation has lagged significantly behind Namibia's.
Pilot project
A pilot project in Sasolburg is producing green hydrogen for domestic use, and the Koega green ammonia project in the Eastern Cape is 'at an advanced planning stage' for four additional flagship hydrogen projects, said Ramaphosa on Thursday.
Beyond suboptimal implementation, there are also complications, which Ramaphosa duly acknowledged.
Chief among them: cost.
'We are very much alive to the reality that green hydrogen production faces a number of challenges. There is the cost factor. Capital intensity and the high costs of financing are significant barriers, as is the cost of green hydrogen relative to other energy sources such as natural gas, for instance,' he said.
Earlier this year, Daily Maverick was told that the ambitious plan to produce 'green steel' in the Freeport Saldanha industrial zone had been shelved, with Sasol and ArcelorMittal citing high costs and shifting priorities.
Globally, the steel industry is responsible for roughly 2.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year, which is about 8% of global emissions.
When the conventional coal-fired blast furnaces are replaced with ones that run on carbon emission-free green hydrogen, the steel that is produced is, accordingly, considered green steel.
The difficulties in realising green hydrogen projects are shared internationally.
A study published in the journal Nature Energy earlier this year, which tracked 190 projects over three years, found that by 2023 only 7% of the announced green hydrogen production globally had been realised. A large part of the reason is renewable energy and electrolyser costs.
Lack of competitiveness
A Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research researcher and the lead author of that study, Adrian Odenweller, as well as co-author Falko Ueckerdt, said: 'Green hydrogen will continue to have difficulties meeting the high expectations in the future due to a lack of competitiveness.'
The Just Energy Transition Project Management Unit in the Presidency and the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa previously confirmed as much with Daily Maverick, explaining: 'Currently, grey hydrogen (from steam reformation of methane gas) costs $1.50/kg to produce. Green hydrogen produced via electrolysis of water using renewables-generated electricity costs $5 to $6/kg. Approximately 60% of this cost is for electricity, 30% for electrolysers and 10% for transport, storage and other externalities.
'So, a reduction in price depends very much on renewable electricity generating costs falling still further. Additionally, the appropriate pricing of carbon taxes is another factor that will contribute to project viability.
'The costs of green electricity and of electrolysers will reduce, but not overnight. Furthermore, penalties in key global markets on goods produced using non-green technologies are ramping up over the next decade. We can anticipate that the right price point will be reached within the next few years.
'Based on the downward price trajectory of renewable energy and electrolyser costs, it has been projected that South Africa will reach $1.50/kg by 2037.'
Speaking at the summit on Thursday, Energy and Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said, 'Africa's choice is whether to be a passive site of resource extraction or a proactive architect of the green energy economy.
'With the right policy framework, investment enablers and regional coordination, green hydrogen can and must be [the] backbone of a new African industrial era.
'South Africa's approach to green hydrogen is not aspirational, it is deliberate, structured and already under way. As a country, we have a clear choice to develop hydrogen not just as a climate response but as a catalyst for reindustrialisation, economic transformation, regional competitiveness and energy sovereignty,' said Ramokgopa. DM
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Daily Maverick
an hour ago
- Daily Maverick
Just Energy Transition: How consulting firms profit amid climate crisis challenges
As billions pour in for South Africa's Just Energy Transition, a damning report by Open Secrets reveals how the very consultants advising top polluters are now reaping the profits from the country's Just Energy Transition, and operating with little public oversight. In the race against climate change, South Africa stands at a juncture, attempting to navigate a complex and costly transition from its coal-dependent past to a sustainable future. Billions of dollars have been pledged, policies are being crafted, and the stakes for communities, workers, and the planet could not be higher. Yet, a new report by Open Secrets, The Climate Consultants: How management consultants cash in on the climate crisis, casts a long, disquieting shadow over this endeavour. The report reveals a pervasive and often opaque influence of private management consulting firms, many with alleged conflicts of interest and questionable track records, positioning themselves to reap significant profits from South Africa's Just Energy Transition (JET). The report, authored by Zen Mathe, Michael Marchant, Ra'eesa Pather, Luvano Ntuli, and Ariella Scher from Open Secrets, digs into how management consultants and institutions linked to donor countries receive the lion's share of the grant funding. During the report's launch, Mathe said they found that about 65% of the committed grant funds have gone to private corporations and organisations as implementing entities, and less than 25%of the grant monies have gone to local implementing entities such as non-governmental organisations, public sector institutions and universities. 'We've also found that often there is a direct link between where the money comes from (the donor country) and where the money goes to (the implementing entity). And as a result, consulting firms are playing a fundamental role in shaping South Africa's response to the climate and energy crisis, whether it's in the workforce, Africa's largest fossil fuel companies and banks, or for public institutions and governments. And they do so despite serious conflicts of interest.' She told Daily Maverick that much of the expenditure on South Africa's energy transition had happened in a system parallel to that of the state and had not been subject to sufficient public oversight. Findings from the report The report unearths a troubling paradox. As governments and corporations scramble for solutions to the climate crisis, the global market for management consulting has exploded, surpassing $1-trillion in 2023. Major players like Boston Consulting Group (BCG), McKinsey and the consulting arms of the Big Four accounting firms have aggressively expanded their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) offerings, marketing themselves as indispensable guides to decarbonisation. But, Open Secrets' investigation lays bare alleged conflicts. These same firms frequently advise the world's largest polluters (fossil fuel giants like Sasol, ExxonMobil, and Saudi Aramco) on strategies that, in many cases, entrench their carbon-intensive operations. McKinsey, for instance, has been revealed to work for 43 of the top 100 corporate polluters, while simultaneously drafting energy transition documents that propose trillions in new oil and gas investments. Boston Consulting Group, despite being the consulting partner for climate change summits COP26 and COP28, proudly listed Saudi Aramco among its most innovative companies and has advised Sasol on its 'Future Sasol' strategy, which includes an ongoing focus on green hydrogen. Can these firms profiting from the very industries driving the climate crisis genuinely guide a 'just' transition away from them? The report suggests their advice often lacks the ambition for systemic change, favouring 'techno-managerial' and market-based solutions like carbon offsetting, which critics argue benefit large polluters and sideline deeper social and economic reforms. The surge in demand for climate-related consulting stems from several key developments. The 2015 Paris Agreement, with its focus on nationally determined contributions (NDCs), prompted governments worldwide to seek external advice for their climate commitments. Concurrently, the private sector's growing recognition of climate risks and new financial reporting requirements created a lucrative market for climate advice. Consultancies, leveraging their reputation, have rapidly expanded their 'dedicated capacity for climate-related consulting work'. Giants like Boston Consulting Group launched their Centre for Climate and Sustainability in 2021, boasting more than 550 specialists and becoming the official Consultancy Partner for COP26 in Glasgow. Not to be outdone, McKinsey launched McKinsey Sustainability in May 2021, claiming more than 3,500 consultants working in climate and Environmental, Social, and Governance sectors, beefing up its offerings through acquisitions like UK-based Vivid Economics. Lack of progress The report raises the question: Despite this consulting boom, why is climate action still 'moving far too slowly' with far too little consideration to its impact on the most vulnerable? The centrality of these firms, it argues, is an important cause of the lack of progress. The report states that the use of consultants further undermines expertise and capacity within states. This, according to the authors, leads to a serious risk of over-reliance on consultants that weakens the ability of states to develop their own climate and energy policies. Below, we take a look at some case studies and implicated agencies from the report. BCG's response Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a prominent firm highlighted in the Open Secrets report, provided Daily Maverick responses to several key allegations. Regarding its work with major fossil fuel companies while simultaneously participating in global climate negotiations, BCG stated: 'BCG works with the energy industry at large, including oil and gas companies, given the critical role they play in breaking the hard trade-offs around the world's energy trilemma. 'We work on improving and decarbonising supply and accelerating investments in lower-carbon energy sources. Furthermore, we believe that supporting the decarbonisation of heavy emitters is also crucial to achieve the decarbonisation of existing industries and assets.' On its controversial Most Innovative Companies list, which included Saudi Aramco, Shell, and ExxonMobil in 2023, BCG said that its list 'recognises firms driving measurable change through technology, strategy, and business model evolution. Inclusion reflects innovation as it exists, including within legacy sectors that must evolve.' Addressing concerns about promoting natural gas as a transition fuel and advocating for green hydrogen investments despite methane leakage and viability doubts, BCG said: 'BCG's work with various multi-stakeholder coalitions (e.g. NBI, Business Unity South Africa, the Energy Council of South Africa) is focused on providing analytical and technical modelling support. 'Rather than prescribing solutions, BCG uses data-driven analysis to help stakeholders understand the trade-offs between different pathways and identify interventions that remain valid across scenarios.' BCG defended its R6-million Energy Transition Roadmap for the Energy Council, a coalition of more than 40 businesses, including polluters, stating that members contributed individually and were committed to decarbonisation. On the influence of fossil fuel clients on public-facing outputs like the #energisemzansi campaign and the EDMSA energy modelling tool, BCG asserted: 'BCG is committed to the highest standards of ethics and business conduct, and we apply rigorous confidentiality measures and conflict-of-interest protocols in our engagements.' Responding to allegations of a lack of transparency and unincorporated feedback in its NBI/Business Unity South Africa collaboration, BCG maintained that the project involved an 'open and transparent consultation process' with more than 200 participants from over 30 companies, government bodies, and civil society organisations. 'Fact-based synthesis' It stated that the advisory committee and steering committee were both regularly engaged by BCG for review and comment, and that the final report represents a 'fact-based synthesis of all contributions and does not reflect the views or interests of any single contributor'. Concerning the hiring of former Bain employees implicated in the SARS State Capture scandal, BCG stated: 'BCG follows a rigorous vetting process when hiring new colleagues. Based on that vetting process, there were no factors that would have precluded their onboarding.' It added that BCG adhered to procurement policies and regulatory requirements, both in the private and public sectors. Finally, regarding its client relationship with Standard Bank, which finances controversial projects like Eacop, BCG stated: 'BCG maintains strict confidentiality agreements with all our clients both in the private and public sectors. As such, we are unable to provide details on individual clients or specific project work.' The same response was given for queries about the quantifiable progress of the Mpumalanga SME investment project. BCG concluded its overall comments by stating: 'We only undertake work where we are uniquely qualified to contribute to addressing technical complexity, ensuring that BCG's efforts are directed toward accelerating a just and sustainable transition. We are proud of our contribution to South Africa's JET.' The PCC under scrutiny The Presidential Climate Commission (PCC), established in 2020 to advise President Cyril Ramaphosa on South Africa's climate response, is a crucial institution in the JET. Currently, it legally exists under the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) until it can be established as a separate public entity under the Climate Change Act. Mathe said the establishment of the PCC in this manner had led to much confusion around its reporting and oversight lines, which determine its accountability and help to strengthen its independence. A welcome finding from the Open Secrets report is that the PCC has largely avoided direct reliance on the Big Three management consultancies. Instead, it frequently turns to academic institutions and local think tanks for expertise. But the PCC is not without its own challenges. The report reveals concerns from former insiders and civil society about its internal governance. Allegations include the centralisation of power within a small network of individuals, creating a 'shadow ministry' that sidelines the diverse body of commissioners. The PCC has called for the past and present insiders referred to in this report to be 'unveiled' as they believe this was not a protected disclosure matter. Questions were also raised about the transparency of its procurement processes, particularly its reliance on fiscal hosting by entities like the African Climate Foundation (ACF) for donor funds, which operates outside the requirements of South Africa's Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). While the African Climate Foundation insists on its non-interference, critics worry about the potential for conflicts of interest when a re-granting organisation is so intimately involved in policy shaping. The report highlights the case of Krutham (formerly Intellidex), a financial consulting firm contracted by the PCC to advise on the Just Transition Financing Mechanism. While Krutham maintains its expertise and competitive appointment, climate experts express surprise at its rapid prominence in the climate finance space, suggesting that the PCC might be outsourcing work to demonstrate 'independence' rather than building internal capacity or fully leveraging its own commissioners' expertise. PCC's response The Presidential Climate Commission provided Daily Maverick with a comprehensive response to the allegations and criticisms raised. Regarding claims of a shadow ministry and centralised decision making, the PCC stated that members of the secretariat were appointed following rigorous and competitive recruitment processes. Blessing Manale, PCC communications and outreach head, said: 'The assertion that commissioners are being sidelined or ostracised is incorrect and is not borne out by the commissioners' own assessments of the functioning of the commission. It is also important to note that all commission meetings are publicly broadcast and that all decisions of the commission are taken at these meetings and recorded accordingly.' On the accountability of commissioners and addressing civil society criticisms, Manale said the commission made recommendations based on consensus and not on a stronger hand or influence by any social partner or institution represented by a commissioner. 'Commissioners are held accountable by the collective; they should be able to report to their constituencies on their work, and in most instances the secretariat has been invited to attend various events, conferences and dialogues by these organisations so that we could expand on the substance of our work,' said Manale. He added that all commissioners who had resigned or been replaced had been at the behest of their constituencies, and that the president had accepted replacement nominations from such organisations. During all consultations, Manale said that commissioners who lead the substantive discussion were interrogated and provided feedback, input, and criticism by stakeholders. 'It needs to be emphasised that civil society has nine representatives… This makes it the largest block in the commission. In addition, the PCC has established a Youth Caucus and a gender Advisory Forum, and other structures… as some mechanisms ensure elaborate discussion and engagement on pertinent issues in the PCC work programme,' said Manale. Addressing the criticism that commissioners sometimes prioritised organisational interests, the PCC responded: 'The commissioners can only be held responsible by their nominating organisations for the work they do in the commission and their commitment to the consensus mechanism of the PCC.' Manale added that in any matter of discussion, all commissioners and the secretariat made a declaration where there would be a conflict of interest. On the selection of Krutham (formerly Intellidex) for the Just Transition Financing Mechanism work, the PCC affirmed that Krutham had been appointed on a commercial basis to support its work on advancing South Africa's JET through two research and advisory projects delivered between 2022 and 2023. They emphasised: 'All PCC consulting work is procured through a competitive, open, and transparent procurement process, in compliance with the Public Finance Management Act, for all Nedlac procured work and in compliance with the African Climate Foundations' Finance and Procurement Policy.' Manale said: 'Krutham's work is thoroughly processed by the secretariat, carefully considered by the commission, and cross-referenced with a diversity of stakeholder views.' Addressing its funding model and relationship with the African Climate Foundation (ACF), the PCC stated that it had a Donor Policy and Standard Operating Procedure for screening and receiving donor resources, with additional checks by its Finance and Governance Committee. Independence The African Climate Foundation is a fiscal host of the PCC, through an agreement signed by Nedlac on behalf of the PCC and ACF to fiscally host the PCC donors. Manale said this relationship did not affect the independence of the PCC. He added that the PCC had always been transparent about its sources of funding, which were overseen by its commissioners. Manale further said that the African Climate Foundation did not sit on the PCC, did not vote on its decisions, was not a commissioner, and did not exert influence over their positions. 'The African Climate Foundation is therefore seen as an enabler, not a director. Much like African Climate Foundation's grant-making to other grantees, including Open Secrets, the African Climate Foundation does not influence or direct our decisions,' said Manale. The PCC concluded by stating that it was satisfied that it had fulfilled its mandate and that its advice was based on thorough stakeholder engagement informed by the best available research, and that no undue influence was exerted on its decision-making processes by private consultants or donors. It also noted a factual inaccuracy in the Open Secrets report regarding Manale's former role, stating that he was not the former director-general of the Ministry of Transport, and would make submissions for correction. Consulting giant denies role in green energy projects According to the JET Grants Register and the report, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) is listed as an implementing partner for four UK-funded projects under the Just Energy Transition Partnership, with a combined value exceeding R130-million. These projects are primarily focused on Mpumalanga's transition, involving initiatives like a R20-million 'Climate Finance Accelerator' to boost low-carbon businesses, a R2-million project to vet municipal projects for further funding, and two larger collaborations with Adam Smith International (ASI) and Pegasys Consortium valued at R22-million and R86-million respectively. These latter projects aim to support local economic diversification and develop project pipelines in the energy and water sectors. In response, PwC South Africa told Daily Maverick it was not involved in these projects and that each firm in the PwC global network was a separate and independently controlled entity. It suggested PwC UK may be involved, but could not confirm the register's accuracy and explicitly denied any involvement in the work with ASI and Pegasys. Separately, PwC addressed its past audit failures at SAA, as highlighted by the State Capture commission, and said it was disappointed that its work fell below professional standards. The firm acknowledged that the responsible audit partner, who was no longer with PwC, accepted a sanction from the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors for the oversight. Transparency needed in South Africa's energy sector The Open Secrets report concludes with recommendations to steer South Africa's Just Energy Transition back towards its core principles of justice, transparency, and public interest. Mathe told Daily Maverick that the state must take immediate action to improve transparency in South Africa's energy sector, especially concerning JET funding and contracts. Additionally, she said JET funding partnership agreements should be publicly accessible and require quarterly reporting. 'In particular, the state must maintain a publicly accessible database of the full expenditure of Just Energy Transition Partnership monies (including those which have been paid into the fiscus and those which have been routed outside of the state), to enable proper monitoring and evaluation of the partnership,' said Mathe. They also call for more secure and appropriate financing. While more JET Investment Plan funding was needed, Open Secrets said a larger portion must be granted, with a significant shift towards local entities like communities, NGOs, civil society and academic institutions. Another recommendation was to strengthen financial stewardship and procurement oversight. The report states that all JETP monies, regardless of origin, should ideally be routed through the South African state and be subject to the Public Finance Management Act. Where not possible, robust alternative oversight mechanisms must ensure alignment with the just transition definition in the Climate Change Act. The authors also state that the management consulting sector urgently needs effective regulation to hold firms accountable for misconduct and conflicts of interest. DM
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Analysts warn DA-led no-confidence vote could topple Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa's future could hang by a balance if the Democratic Alliance (DA), party og GNU, continues with the motion of no-confidence against him. Image: IOL Graphic If the Democratic Alliance (DA) proceeds with a motion of no confidence against President Cyril Ramaphosa, it could mark the end of his presidency. That's according to political analysts. Speaking with IOL News, Professor Bheki Mngomezulu said Ramaphosa previously survived parliamentary votes in the sixth administration because the African National Congress (ANC) held a majority in Parliament. However, the party will no longer have the May 2024 national elections. 'Anything is possible with the DA, because they don't seem to know what they are doing,' Mngomezulu said. 'Both the ANC and the DA are suffering from an identity crisis. The ANC behaves as though it is still the sole governing party, while the DA continues acting as the official opposition. But the reality is that they are now part of a coalition government and should be pulling in the same direction.' He said the DA often second-guesses and 'checkmates' the ANC, creating confusion about its intentions within the Government of National Unity (GNU). Mngomezulu said two main reasons are preventing the DA from leaving the coalition - is the receipt of ministerial and deputy ministerial positions, and its desire to prevent the MK Party and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) from joining the GNU. His remarks come amid heightened tensions following Ramaphosa's dismissal of Deputy Trade and Industry Minister Andrew Whitfield, a senior DA member, over an unauthorised international trip. The blue party responded by withdrawing from the National Dialogue process, which is a key platform for inter-party consultation. But, the party has not ruled out tabling a motion of no confidence against Ramaphosa. Speaking over the weekend at the OR Tambo regional conference in the Eastern Cape, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula rubbished DA's threats. 'The DA can pack their things and leave, but on their way out, they will meet others coming in,' Mbalula said. 'Even if the DA walks away, the GNU will not collapse. Other parties are already knocking at the door to join. The GNU is powerful - it finishes you without you realising.' Mbalula warned that any attempt to propose a motion of no confidence would result in the DA's expulsion from the GNU. He confirmed that the ANC's National Working Committee (NWC) would meet Monday afternoon to discuss the matter. Meanwhile, Mngomezulu said if the DA were to proceed with the motion, it would likely find support from smaller parties, including the MK Party, the EFF, and the African Transformation Movement (ATM). 'Even if ActionSA, which also has an identity crisis, were to vote against it, the rest could constitute the two-thirds majority needed, which would mean the end of Ramaphosa,' he said. 'But I don't think it will come to that, because the ANC and DA do discuss issues behind closed doors.' He called on the ANC to address the DA's repeated challenges to its policies, including the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill, the Land Expropriation Bill, and its stances on foreign policy. 'They must also discuss the DA's threats to oppose all budget speeches by ministers they disagree with, and the possibility of invoking Section 89 of the Constitution,' Mngomezulu said. 'They must assess what the DA's exit would mean in terms of parliamentary numbers. That is critical.' The ANC's NWC is also expected to address the fate of Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane, who is facing criticism over the controversial appointment of the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) board. In addition, Independent political analyst Goodenough Mashego echoed Mngomezulu's remarks. 'If the DA were to bring a motion of no confidence against the president, it will definitely succeed,' Mashego said. 'It will succeed because it will have shifted the DA toward the MK and the EFF, because they need MK and EFF for the motion to succeed.' However, he said the DA is unlikely to bring the motion unless it is certain it will pass. 'They wouldn't want to embarrass themselves by bringing a motion that's going to fail, thus spilling the end of their coalition with the ANC while they go out and they've got nothing to show for it,' he said. Mashego said negotiating with the EFF and MK would be difficult, especially because it would require agreement on who would become president if Ramaphosa were removed. 'There is no scenario whereby the MK Party or EFF are going to allow the DA to appoint a president,' he said. 'If the DA also agrees with MK to appoint an MK president, there is no way an MK president will have the DA in Cabinet.' Mashego expressed that the motion is unlikely to happen. 'They might talk about it as a bargaining tool, but they're not going to do it,' he said. 'The recent DA stance is for optics. No South African is looking forward to the national dialogue, so withdrawing from it doesn't change anything.'
Eyewitness News
2 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
'Don't test us': Zille warns Ramaphosa that tabling no-confidence motion in him not an idle threat
CAPE TOWN – Democratic Alliance (DA) federal chair Helen Zille said that tabling a motion of no confidence in President Cyril Ramaphosa was not an idle threat. She said that by not acting against corruption-accused within the African National Congress (ANC)'s ranks, Ramaphosa was proving not to be any different from them. On Saturday, the DA dug in its heels, saying that it would not be withdrawing from the Government of National Unity (GNU) despite its outrage at the firing of its Eastern Cape leader, Andrew Whitfield, as a deputy minister. Ramaphosa cancelled his travel to Spain over the weekend to manage the fallout. Groupings, both within the DA and the ANC, want the parties to terminate their working relationship within the GNU. But the DA remains adamant that it won't leave on a whim. However, Zille said Ramaphosa must not test her party. "I like to live by the three strikes, and you are out, maxim. So, this is the second big strike, and believe me, we discussed at length about a motion of no confidence in the president." Despite the DA's federal executive opting not to go this route in response to what the party believes has been a disproportionate sanction for Whitfield, Zille said that a motion of no confidence in Ramaphosa was not off the table. "If the president shows that he's indistinguishable from the corrupt radical economic transformation faction in his party, well then, there's no point in being in a coalition with him at all. So, we are saying, don't test us because we are prepared to use the nuclear option." For now, the party has chosen to withdraw from the National Dialogue, a move that could see the president's wrath shift to other DA ministers. ALSO READ: 'Even if DA walks away, GNU will not collapse' - ANC's Mbalula
