Ready to lead the Government of National Unity

The 19th of June 2024 was by no means an ordinary day in the collective landscape of South Africa. With President Cyril Ramaphosa having taken the Oath of Office, marking the start of the seventh administration, the country is now firmly on the threshold of the creation of a Government of National Unity.

The recently concluded National and Provincial Elections has been deemed free and fair by the South African Human Rights Commission, among others, demonstrated the maturity of South Africa's democracy since its early steps in 1994. 

The outcome of the elections led to the newly formed GNU, since no party achieved an outright majority.

As part of the seventh administration, leaders were required to carve a new path, one where cooperation amongst parties with divergent views have come together, united in the single purpose of providing citizens with services that are aimed at improving their quality of life and building a sense of national solidarity.

Addressing the public in his inaugural speech, President Ramaphosa said the formation of the GNU is a moment of profound significance.

“It is the beginning of a new era,” President Ramaphosa said at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

He said the GNU required a common mission, which is anchored in safeguarding national unity, peace, stability, inclusive economic growth, non-racialism and non-sexism.

“Through the ballots that they have cast, the people of South Africa have made plain their expectation that the leaders of our country should work together."

President Ramaphosa said the people of South Africa have directed their representatives to put aside animosity and dissent, to abandon narrow interests and to pursue together only that which benefits the nation.
 

“As leaders, as political parties, we are called upon to work in partnership towards a growing economy, better jobs, safer communities and a government that works for its people.”

President Ramaphosa said from across the political spectrum, parties have answered that call.

“Understanding that no party can govern alone and make laws alone, these parties have agreed to work in partnership, to employ their talents for the good of the country and the progress of its people.

“Together, they have resolved to establish a Government of National Unity to pursue a common programme of fundamental and lasting change.

“As the leaders of this country came together in a Government of National Unity 30 years ago to forge a common future and build a united nation, the parties in the government of national unity of today have agreed to work together to address the most pressing challenges before our nation,” President Ramaphosa said.

Inclusive and sustainable economic growth

President Ramaphosa said the parties have adopted a Statement of Intent, in which they have committed to pursue rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, to create a more just society by tackling poverty,  to safeguard the rights of workers, to stabilise government and to build state capacity and to pursue a foreign policy based on human rights, solidarity and peace.

“As South Africans, we must each do what we can to achieve this mission. We will invite all parties, civil society, labour, business and other formations to a National Dialogue on the critical challenges facing the nation,” the President said.
President Ramaphosa said the parties have made a commitment to invest in South Africa’s people through quality education and health care, to address crime and corruption, to strengthen social cohesion and build a united nation and the will of the people shall be done without any doubt or question.

“The voters of South Africa did not give any single party the full mandate to govern our country alone.

“We will seek, as we have done at so many important moments in our history, to forge a social compact to realise the aspirations of our National Development Plan.

“As individuals, as families, as communities and in our many formations, let us draw on our every strength to turn our dream for a better South African into reality,” President Ramaphosa said.