South Africa’s experiment with a Government of National Unity (GNU) has reached a critical juncture. The urge to expand the GNU by inviting ever more political parties into its ranks now threatens the very purpose of coalition: to provide decisive and accountable governance.

Far from creating stability, a cabinet swollen with minor and single-issue parties risks becoming an arena of endless negotiation and policy confusion, rather than a platform for reform and delivery.

Since the 2024 national election, the GNU has sought to project unity and consensus. In practice, it has struggled to drive a clear agenda. The context is unforgiving. In 2024, real GDP growth managed only 0.6%, trailing far behind the global average of 3.2%. Unemployment remains near its historic high at 33.2%, while fixed investment as a share of GDP is stuck at just 15%, reflecting a climate of low business confidence and investor hesitation.

The stakes for ordinary South Africans could not be higher. Growth has stagnated, jobs are scarce, and the cost of living rises year by year.

The lesson from South Africa’s own past is clear. Between the mid-1990s and 2008, a more focused executive oversaw a period of sustained growth and social upliftment. Annual GDP growth in that era averaged above 4%, unemployment fell steadily, and fixed investment surged past 20% of GDP.

Economic confidence soared. This period of leaner, more focused government was characterised by clear lines of accountability and a willingness to pursue tough reforms. The subsequent drift toward fragmented coalitions and expanding cabinets has brought with it declining growth and a sense of policy paralysis.

This drift is also increasingly out of step with public sentiment. Polling conducted in April 2024 shows that 83% of South Africans believe the government should appoint the best candidates to jobs, regardless of political or racial background. An overwhelming 80% say labour laws should be relaxed to encourage job creation. Most see the expansion of the state and coalition government as an obstacle rather than a solution. Citizens want government that is effective, focused, and capable of tackling the country’s economic crisis, not one paralysed by endless compromise.

The call to streamline the GNU is not an ideological or partisan plea, but a practical one. In a country where public debt stands at 74% of GDP and the number of young people without work continues to grow, every distraction from reform is a direct cost to the prospects of millions. South Africa needs an executive that can act decisively, allocate resources efficiently, and restore the trust of citizens and investors alike.

Unless the GNU focuses its mandate and limits its expansion, South Africa will continue to suffer from weak leadership and persistent gridlock. The cost of inaction will be felt in deepening economic malaise, public frustration, and the erosion of confidence in the democratic project.

Through the lens of governance, the future of the GNU will hinge on its ability to prioritise delivery, maintain accountability, and resist the temptations of endless expansion.