The GNU and its Impact on the Economy, Service Delivery and Good Governance

The GNU and its Impact on the Economy, Service Delivery and Good Governance

Politicians, business leaders, public servants and academics weighed in on the prospects and challenges of the new Government of National Unity (GNU) and its impact on the economy, service delivery and good governance at a breakfast meeting in Durban.

The event was one of the many activities being undertaken by the Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSB&L) in line with its vision of producing well informed graduates through the involvement of senior practitioners and experts in business management and the leadership fields.

Themed: “Government of National Unity (GNU): Impact on the Economy, Service Delivery and Good Governance: Prospects/ Challenges?”, the discussion and deliberations sought to respond to the question of what are the key governance challenges that are currently being faced by the GNU, and how should these challenges be addressed, and what are the possible solutions in this regard?

Facilitating the debate, Professor Purshottama Reddy, a public governance expert at the GSB&L, stated that the country is at present facing multiple challenges, notably a stagnant economy and increasing unemployment; high levels of crime and lawlessness; poor governance and the scourge of corruption and tribalism. Given the history and ideological standpoints of each of the political parties in the GNU, there is bound to be governance and more specifically policy challenges.

The panel included Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gungubele, the KZN MEC for COGTA Hon. Rev. Thulasizwe Buthelezi, KZN MEC for Finance Mr Francois Rodgers, Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Commerce’s CEO Ms Melanie Veness and Independent Political analyst Mr Zakhele Ndlovu, attached to the University of KwaZulu Natal.

Ndlovu said following the 2024 elections in which no political party won an outright majority, the GNU was ushered in. The country is currently at a crossroads where political parties have the chance to set aside divisive identity politics and address the country’s deeply ingrained developmental challenges, notably enhanced service delivery and job creation.

“There is a glimmer of hope if the GNU embraces accountable and ethical leadership; there is potential for positive change. Encouragingly, investors are already reacting, renewed investor inflows have strengthened the rand, and economic sentiment has improved. But we must ask: Is this momentum sustainable? Can the GNU turn this initial goodwill into lasting reform and economic development?”, he said.

Veness said the GNU provides a collective opportunity to expedite growth-friendly policies to boost investor confidence and job-rich growth. The markets have responded positively to it and there is economic optimism, but there is also cautious optimism, due to the perceived fragility of the political stability.

“The GNU should give further impetus to the existing key collaboration between the government and business, specifically in the high-priority areas of energy security, logistics and dealing with crime and corruption,” she said.

Gungubele said the GNU is a statement of commitment to unity, inclusivity and collaboration.

“This particular coalition government in contrast to the past where parties were bound to work together. In this case, there has been there has been a lot of voluntarily working together which reflects the maturity of our democracy, setting aside party interests and putting the needs of nation first.”

Rodgers pointed out that the developments in Tshwane Municipality where the DA Mayor was voted out of office would not impact on the GNU nationally or provincially in KZN. He added that they were “two different animals and not in the same formula and same mix”. The leadership in the province will ensure that “things remain on track here”.

Buthelezi made a distinction between the post-apartheid GNU and the 2024 GNU where the former was a pre-election arrangement and the latter was born out of circumstances. He added that the GNU has created a culture of responsiveness; however, there was a lack of public participation. The populace has to see the benefits of the GNU and this has to be in the form of basic service delivery. He reinforced the view that traditional leadership have a critical role to play in governance thereby enhancing the lives of rural communities.

The session ended with an interactive Q&A session.

Words: Lungile Ngubelanga

Photograph: Hesper Cele