South Africa’s GNU has not changed anything for the United States
The formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) in South Africa has not sweetened the United State’s view of the country in any way, shape or form.
These are the views of Joel Pollak, an influential South African-born American conservative commentator, author, and senior editor-at-large at Breitbart News.
In an interview with BusinessTech, Pollak argued that parties other than the ANC are “not really part of a coalition government… [but] basically just along for the ride.”
He cites the ANC’s strategic control over key areas of governance, which he says renders other parties in the GNU largely powerless to shape the country’s policies and image.
This was demonstrated this past week when the ANC-led GNU managed to pass the controversial VAT increases and stealth tax hikes in the 2025 budget without the buy-in or vote support from the DA—the second-biggest GNU partner.
This means that the GNU is largely viewed outside South Africa as an extension of the ANC, regardless of the differing ideological positions held by the various partner political parties.
The relationship between the US and South Africa has become increasingly strained recently, marked by a confluence of factors that has resulted in billions in aid being cut and a total review of Uncle Sam’s South Africa policy.
Key points of contention include South Africa’s legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice, its close relationship with US foes Iran, China, and Russia, and differing views on South Africa’s domestic policies.
Pollak said that US President Donald Trump “took an interest” in South Africa in his first term, evidenced by the fact that he spoke out against the then-proposed Expropriation Bill back in 2018.
In his second term, concerns regarding South Africa’s policies, such as ties with Iran and the Expropriation Act, were cited in an executive order that temporarily halted aid.
The difference between Trump’s two terms and his relationship with South Africa is the formation of the GNU after the ANC lost its long-standing majority in the 2024 elections, falling to around 39% of the vote.
What is largely just a broad-based coalition with ideologically opposing parties like the Democratic Alliance (DA) initially boosted business and investor confidence in the country.
However, Pollak’s immediate response to whether the GNU has softened America’s view was firm: “Not at all.”
“The ANC occupies the most important ministries in terms of relations with other countries. So the ANC kept for itself the foreign ministry. It kept the minerals and energy [and] the major industries,” said Pollak.
“Really, to those of us who were watching from the outside, it was a great mystery that the DA, which had done so well in the election, didn’t do better for itself in the negotiation,” he added.
Independent election analyst Michael Atkins previously highlighted that the ANC was the biggest winner of the post-election GNU negotiations.
The party makes up just over 55% of the GNU composition (and 39% of the national vote), but received over 71% of the National Executive.
This includes control of the key ministries like International Relations and Cooperation, and the economics cluster.
Pollak believes the DA should have aimed for more skin in the game.
“It should have taken more important ministries and especially the foreign ministry. If you cannot control how your country is perceived by the outside world, then you’re not really part of a coalition government,” said Pollak.
The DA has been vocal in its opposition to numerous ANC and, ultimately, government international and domestic policies.
“You’re basically just along for the ride and people will blame you for what your government does no matter what it does.”
“So I think that the GNU has made absolutely no impact whatsoever because the ANC continues to behave in the way it does,” he added.
That said, Pollak suggests that the GNU, if consensus building is achieved, presents an opportunity for South Africa to change some of its policies that have caused immense friction.
“The GNU is actually an opportunity to do that. So hopefully, South Africa will come through,” said Pollak.
South African government’s response
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently responded to the various developments around South Africa’s rocky relationship with the United States.
This includes Washington’s position on South Africa’s local laws and policies, and its characterisation of the country as acting against US interests.
“We have expressed concern about the mischaracterisation of the situation in our country and certain of our laws and our foreign policy positions.”
“We will continue to engage with the US and other stakeholders to correct this mischaracterisation and to restore the ties between our two countries,” he added.
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) said in a statement that “South Africa remains committed to finding diplomatic solutions to any misunderstandings or disputes.”
In a recent speech, Dirco Minister Ronald Lamola said that “all of us, including all members in the GNU, despite our different political persuasions, must pursue… the goal of transforming our country into a non-racial, non-sexist and united South Africa.”
“With those who hold different views and perceptions, perhaps, we must deepen consensus building through dialogue and negotiations,” he added.
The DA recently completed a locally controversial weeklong working visit to the US, arguing that as a member of South Africa’s GNU, it is a credible advocate for the country’s national interests abroad.
The delegation included MP Emma Powell, the party’s spokesperson on foreign affairs, who said the visit involved meetings with U.S. leaders in Congress, the State Department, and the White House to ‘ensure accurate information about South Africa’s domestic issues was conveyed. ‘
However, international relations spokesperson Chrispin Phiri noted that representing South Africa’s foreign policy is the responsibility of the executive, as stated by Minister Lamola.
Following the latest battle over the 2025 budget, the DA’s future in the GNU is now in question.
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