Latest news with #Mngomezulu
IOL News
a day ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Emma Powell's resignation linked to ANC tensions and US diplomatic relations, says expert
Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Emma Powell, who has been accused of spreading disinformation to the US has stepped down from the position of the party's spokesperson for International Relations. Image: X@EmmaPowell Political analyst and international relations expert Professor Bheki Mngomezulu said he is not surprised by the resignation of Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Emma Powell, who has been accused of spreading disinformation to the US as the spokesperson for International Relations. 'This should not come as a surprise. Just the other day, the DA made a statement expressing concern that the South African government has not reached an agreement with the Trump administration on trade issues,' Mngomezulu said. He said the move speaks to the continuation of the DA's pre-election posture, aligning more with the United States than the South African government, despite being part of the GNU. Mngomezulu added that the current standoff between Pretoria and Washington is likely to cause friction not only between the DA and its coalition partners, including the African National Congress (ANC), but also within the DA itself. 'I don't know all the reasons why she decided to resign, but my sense is that it has to do with South Africa's relations with the US and differing opinions on how the matter should be handled both within the DA and in the coalition,' he said. Earlier, IOL News reported that Powell announced in a statement that she was stepping down after more than two years in the role. 'Over the past two and a half years, I have traveled the world on behalf of my party, first as shadow minister and later as national spokesperson, speaking out against some of the most repressive and brutal regimes in the world,' she said. Powell claimed that her advocacy work led to threats, intimidation, harassment, and illegal surveillance. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'Driven by my commitment to the DA's foundational principles, I accepted these risks as the unavoidable cost of standing up to and exposing DIRCO (Department of International Relations and Cooperation) and the ANC's relationships with authoritarian regimes,' she said. The DA confirmed Powell's resignation in a separate statement and thanked her for her service. The party said she would soon be reassigned to a new portfolio. DA national spokesperson Karabo Khakhau announced that Ryan Smith would replace Powell as the party's new spokesperson on international relations and cooperation. Powell's departure comes after she took a trip to Washington, DC in March, along with former deputy minister of trade, industry and competition, Andrew Whitfield President Cyril Ramaphosa later dismissed Whitfield for taking the trip without proper authorisation. The DA said the visit was aimed at strengthening ties between South Africa and the US. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola previously said the party's actions undermined the constitutional prerogative of the executive in foreign policy matters. 'Africa's non-aligned stance and the advancement of our national interest remain central pillars of South Africa's foreign policy,' Lamola previously told IOL News. He also criticised what he called misrepresentations of South Africa's land reform efforts, particularly the Expropriation Bill, insisting the legislation does not permit arbitrary land seizure. Tensions between the DA and the ANC escalated further after Powell recently claimed that Ramaphosa's envoy to the US, Mcebisi Jonas, had been denied entry and that his diplomatic credentials had been rejected. The Presidency denied the claims. Powell, who has been a DA MP since 2019, is known for opposing ANC's foreign policies. Mngomezulu said the ANC has long accused Powell of spreading disinformation to the US. 'Yes, that is true… In fact, the DA has been disingenuous in its relations with the US, because there are only three constitutional avenues for communication with the US, the ambassador, the DIRCO minister, and the presidency.' He said the DA does not fall within those formal channels. 'So going there before the coalition government was constituted was wrong even then. It's even more wrong now because they are part of the government,' he said. Mngomezulu said if Powell or Whitfield acted without authorisation, it becomes a serious issue. He added that Powell's resignation appears to come from both her conflict with the ANC and tensions within the DA itself. 'Truth be told, not all DA members are acting in the manner that she and others have. Some are level-headed and more likely to see when things are not done properly.' It is not clear where Powell will be reassigned, but the DA now faces scrutiny over its next move. 'The DA has often accused the ANC of recycling officials into new roles when they underperform. Are they not doing the same thing?' Mngomezulu said. 'If Powell has done anything wrong and admits to it, the party should act accordingly. But because she resigned voluntarily, she may be deployed elsewhere as long as she remains a member in good standing.' He said Powell's situation highlights broader problems within the GNU. 'This coalition was built on shaky ground. It's a coalition of convenience, marked by an identity crisis between the ANC and DA, while the other eight parties are largely ignored,' he said. 'This is not how a coalition should function. It also shows that the president is not strong enough to manage the coalition, which is why the DA continues to act independently and even threatens to withdraw - before realising they would lose benefits, and deciding to stay despite dissatisfaction.' IOL Politics
IOL News
30-06-2025
- Politics
- 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.'
The Star
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
The Freedom Charter at 70: A vision betrayed by the ANC?
As South Africa marked the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Freedom Charter, leading voices in South Africa have raised concerns about the ideals enshrined in the nation's founding document, having been hollowed out, replaced by elite-driven agendas and systemic failures that threaten to undo the progress made in the liberation struggle. Seventy years ago, in the dusty streets of Kliptown, Soweto, the African National Congress (ANC) and its allies adopted the Freedom Charter - a bold , inclusive blueprint for a democratic South Africa rooted in the principles of equality, shared wealth, and social justice. The Charter was born from a comprehensive, cross-class, and cross-race consultative process. It embodies millions' hopes for a free, fair, and united nation. Today, as South Africa marks this significant milestone, critics argue that the ANC has drifted far from those foundational ideals, betraying the very values that inspired the struggle against apartheid. The Freedom Charter articulated a vision where 'the people shall share in the country's wealth,' land would be shared among those who work it, and poverty, unemployment, and inequality would be eliminated. It was more than a document; it was a rallying cry-a call for grassroots involvement, gender inclusivity, and racial unity. Its adoption in 1955 symbolised collective resistance, galvanising the fight against apartheid and laying the groundwork for the democratic Constitution of 1996. In the decades following democracy, the ANC claimed to be the custodian of the Charter's ideals. Yet, many South Africans now see a stark contrast between the lofty promises of 1955 and the reality of today's socio-economic landscape. Poverty persists, unemployment remains entrenched, and inequality is among the highest globally. The triple burden the Charter sought to eradicate continues unabated, raising questions about the ANC's fidelity to its founding principles. The political landscape has shifted dramatically. The ANC, once the undisputed leader of South Africa's liberation movement, is now relegated to a coalition partner in a fragmented multiparty system following its failure to secure a majority in the 2024 elections. According to Professor Bheki Mngomezulu, Director of the Centre for the Advancement of Non-Racialism and Democracy, this marks a pivotal moment but questions the party's direction. 'The ANC has had ample time to realise the promises of the Freedom Charter. Their inability to deliver on key clauses, particularly wealth sharing and land redistribution, reflects a betrayal of those ideals.' ' Many South Africans believe that the ANC has reneged on its promise to implement the clauses of the Freedom Charter. They base their assessment on the condition of their lives and unfulfilled promises made by the ANC in each election.' Mngomezulu drew disparities in the ANC, which holds a view that only two of the ten clauses of the Freedom Charter have not been fulfilled. 'These are clauses three, which says, 'The people shall share in the country's wealth,' and clause four, which says, 'The land shall be shared among those who work it.' However, even with these clauses, the ANC claims it is a work in progress.' He argued that it was safe to say that the question on poverty and other challenges have not all been answered, as people still lived in poverty. Political Economy Analyst Zamikhaya Maseti proposed marking the 70th anniversary by returning to the roots of the Charter and holding the commemorative events in Kliptown itself. 'Kliptown was the site where our great-grandparents gathered under difficult, illegal conditions on June 25–26, 1955, to craft a vision for a democratic South Africa,' Maseti noted. 'Their gathering produced the Freedom Charter, a lodestar for the liberation struggle. Today, we face an equally historic task: rebuilding South Africa born from their sacrifices. A nation now fractured and drifting, desperately in need of repair.' She said that 'holding the anniversary in Kliptown would root it in the moral soil of people's struggles and remove the sting of elitism that often surrounds state-led initiatives. It would strip the dialogue of unnecessary extravagance.' Maseti stressed that 'the original Congress of the People saw delegates arrive by bus, taxi, train-some even on horseback. 'Reflecting this spirit, the proposed R700 million budget for this national dialogue is seen as absurd and morally indefensible I am relieved that the Presidency rejected that outrageous proposal.' Former ambassador Lassy Chiwayo reflected on the nation's current state as the nation comme 70th anniversary approaches. He warns of a dangerous phenomenon. 'Political sclerosis' is a form of institutional rigidity that stifles progress. 'Once, the ANC was Africa's most respected liberation movement- an icon of hope,' Chiwayo laments. 'Today, what has happened to that movement, and what does it mean for our nation?' He described 'political sclerosis' as 'a state of stagnation, gridlock, and paralysis,' warning that 'when our institutions become inflexible, they stop functioning effectively, and progress stalls. The ANC is suffering from a kind of political leprosy that threatens to consume the very ideals it once stood for.' If unchecked,' he warns, 'this disease could lead to the collapse of hope and the end of our dreams for a free, liberated Africa.' Chiwayo urges the movement to shed its sclerosis, embrace flexibility, and reconnect with the core principles of liberation and service. 'Otherwise, we risk losing the very essence of what our ancestors fought for-an Africa free from foreign domination, inequality, and oppression.' Activist and author Kim Heller laments that 'the Freedom Charter lies in ruins in democratic South Africa.' She argued that 'today, the portraiture of the ANC as a devoted and dutiful servant to its citizens has all but collapsed. The party has abandoned its scripture.' Heller critiqued the current elite-driven, VIP-dominated political culture, contrasting it with the grassroots participation and volunteerism underpinning the Charter's formation. She pointed out that the proposed R700 million National Dialogue, led by President Ramaphosa, 'lacks the nation-building spirit and grassroots involvement that defined the Charter and the UDF. It appears to be an elite talk shop, disconnected from the struggles of ordinary South Africans.' Independent analyst Professor Sipho Seepe highlighted that the implementation of the Charter was doomed from the start. 'The ANC adopted a constitution that appreciated past injustices but made socioeconomic transformation difficult,' he stated. 'The architecture of apartheid remains largely intact, and inequality has only worsened, making South Africa the most unequal country in the world.' He criticised the ANC's partnership with the Democratic Alliance (DA) in government, arguing that 'the party has become an empty shell incapable of delivering on the promises of equality and justice, betraying the very ideals of the Freedom Charter.' According to Maseri, the challenge now is to reconnect with those founding principles by returning to Kliptown, the grassroots, and the moral soil of the struggles that birthed this nation. 'The task is to rebuild what was once a beacon of hope and aspiration. Only then can South Africa truly honour the sacrifices made and realise the promise of the Freedom Charter.' When asked for a comment on whether the ANC betrayed the Freedom Charter, the party's national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, stated that she would respond by Thursday afternoon; however, she did not do so by the publication deadline. [email protected] IOL Politics
IOL News
18-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
One Year of the GNU: How the ANC-DA pact betrayed voters and blocked real change
As the GNU marks one year, analysts eveal how collusions, fake promises, and ideological divides—especially between the ANC, DA, and excluded parties like the EFF—have complicated governance in a coalition government new to the nation. Image: IOL Graphic Arrogance, secretive deals, broken promises, and a surprise ANC-DA alliance, excluding the EFF and MK , is what defined the fallout of the ANC's lost majority, as the Government of National Unity (GNU) marks one year. What began as an urgent response to a hung national election outcome in May 2024 has revealed itself, critics say, as a fragile alliance marred by internal tensions, ideological contradictions, and a growing trust deficit. Political analyst Professor Bheki Mngomezulu of Nelson Mandela University (NMU) described the arrangement as mischaracterised from the beginning. 'It's not a GNU in the true sense. What we have is a coalition government at the national level,' Mngomezulu told IOL News. 'The way they projected it, calling it a GNU - is misleading. A GNU has its own dynamics, which differ from a multi-party coalition.' Mngomezulu said South Africa failed to manage the coalition process effectively, as it was the first of its kind at the national level since democracy began in 1994. 'It came unexpectedly to the politicians. But to some of us watching from afar, it was predictable. The ANC was losing support, the DA wasn't gaining ground, and the EFF was stagnating.' After the May 2024 elections, the African National Congress (ANC) secured just 40% of the vote, failing to maintain its decades-long parliamentary majority. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Following weeks of negotiations, a statement of intent was signed by 10 parties, among them the ANC, Democratic Alliance (DA), Inkatha Freedom Party, GOOD Party, Freedom Front Plus, United Democratic Movement, Al Jama-ah, Rise Mzansi, and others, establishing the coalition government at the national level. Not surprisingly, tensions have flared within the GNU, especially between DA and ANC, as policy disagreements continue to strain the coalition. The stability and future of the GNU have remained precarious, with ongoing infighting casting doubt on the coalition's ability to govern effectively. This has left many South Africans still wondering, what really took place behind closed doors during the formation of the GNU? However, Mngomezulu and Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast agree: the foundation was unstable from the start. Breakfast said the ANC's 'arrogance of power' contributed to its electoral loss and subsequent reliance on coalition partners. 'They were voted out, and then ended up at 40%, which created scope for a coalition,' he said. 'It was unexpected for the ANC and DA to end up in the same bed, given their ideological differences. But in my view, market forces played a role. Remember the delegation to the US with Johann Rupert and others?' Breakfast believes the ANC chose the DA and other centrist parties to block more radical actors, namely Julius Malema's Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, from entering government. 'The ANC sacrificed to work with the Freedom Front and the DA to avoid working with the EFF or MK,' he said. 'They used the GNU label to avoid the word 'coalition,' which carries more baggage.' Breakfast added that DA leader John Steenhuisen admitted the party joined the GNU not out of alignment with the ANC, but to block the EFF and MK Party from participating in governance. On the other side, Mngomezulu argued that the coalition's failure to deliver on promises reflects deeper issues of dishonesty and misalignment. 'They're not reading from the same script,' he said. 'The DA has openly said it joined just to keep the EFF and MK out, which shows it wasn't based on genuine cooperation.' Policy differences have also been stark. 'On domestic policy, foreign policy, everything - they differ,' said Mngomezulu. 'The ANC is pro-Palestine, the DA is pro-Israel. That's not sustainable.' He also criticised the ANC's continued dominance in tone and posture. 'They behave like they're still the sole governing party,' he said. 'Even the president once said the ANC is still in charge because they have the president, deputy president, and most ministers. That's not how a coalition work.' Breakfast agreed, adding different interpretations of the coalition's framework. 'The ANC says it's a GNU. The DA says it's a coalition. These conflicting understandings are destabilising,' he said. The GNU has also struggled to present a united front on key legislation. Contentious laws such as the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill, the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill, and the Land Expropriation Act were passed despite opposition from coalition members. The DA's Leon Schreiber and Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube both initially opposed legislation their parties disagreed with, only to later fall in line. The DA had strongly opposed the Employment Equity Amendment Act, however the ANC and other its Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth, had backed it. One of the biggest tests was the budget impasse, which required three attempts by the Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana to pass. Breakfast downplayed these tensions as normal. 'Globally, coalitions have ups and downs. Germany, the Netherlands, and even Israel experience this. Most conflicts revolve around budgets,' he said. 'Still, better conflict management structures could have prevented some of these issues.' Mngomezulu, however, sees these incidents as signs of deeper instability. 'The GNU was never united. It was staged authenticity, something inauthentic presented as if it were real,' he said. 'Look at the DA litigating against the government it's part of. That makes a mockery of the whole arrangement.' Despite repeated threats to exit the GNU, particularly from the DA, both analysts agree the party is unlikely to walk away.
