Most South African voters think that the government of national unity (GNU) agenda is dominated by the African National Congress (ANC).

This is according to a survey of 1 004 registered South African voters conducted by the Social Research Foundation in February 2025.

In that survey participants were given three statements and asked which one they agreed with the most.

The first statement was: “In the GNU, the ANC controls everything that matters. Different parties are in charge of different ministries in the GNU, but it is the ANC that dominates in terms of influence and legislation.”

The second statement was: “In the GNU, all parties in the GNU share control. Different parties are in charge of different ministries and so influence and legislation are shared too, collective decisions are made and no one party dominates.”

The third and final statement was: “In the GNU, it is really the smaller parties that are in control. In order to have a unity government, the ANC has been forced to follow the lead of the smaller parties, and it is those smaller parties that dominate in terms of influence and legislation.”

Amongst all registered voters, 51% selected the first statement, 28% selected the second statement, and 19% selected the third statement.

When broken down by party affiliation 50% of ANC voters selected the first statement, 28% selected the second statement, and 19% selected the third statement.

Amongst Democratic Alliance voters 62% selected the first statement, 23% selected the second statement and 14% selected the third statement.

Amongst uMkhonto weSizwe Party voters 44% selected the first statement, 29% selected the second statement and 25% selected the third statement.

Amongst Economic Freedom Fighters voters 31% selected the first statement, 42% selected the second statement and 19% selected the third statement.