Ramaphosa Says ANC Won’t Be Swayed by Business as GNU Faces Tensions

President Cyril Ramaphosa has made it clear that the ANC will not allow business leaders or unelected voices to influence its decisions regarding the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Speaking to journalists in Soweto following an ANC branch meeting, Ramaphosa said decisions would be made “based on what advances the interests of our people” and not under pressure from outside forces.

“Business does not dictate what happens in government, in the ANC I lead. We take our own decisions… We are principally influenced by what our people say,” Ramaphosa stated firmly.

His comments come after top business leaders penned a letter urging both Ramaphosa and Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen to keep the GNU intact, amid growing instability.

Tensions Within the Coalition

The GNU, formed after the 2024 elections, appears to be under strain after the DA and Freedom Front Plus (FF+) voted against Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s 2025 national budget. Adding to the drama, the DA also launched a legal challenge against the proposed VAT hike.

Angry ANC NEC members have since called for the ejection of the DA and FF+ from the coalition, accusing them of betraying trust during a critical fiscal vote.

Still, Ramaphosa maintains that no one outside the elected government will shape the ANC’s path forward, including business interests.

Pressure From the People, Not the Boardroom

“If we are under any pressure, it is pressure that comes from our people… about poverty, inequality and unemployment,” said Ramaphosa.

He emphasized that the ANC’s decisions would reflect the broader needs of South Africans, not just party loyalists or elite interest groups.

Responding to International Criticism

Ramaphosa also addressed a proposed US sanctions bill introduced by Congressman Ronny Jackson, targeting South African officials seen as aligning with America’s adversaries.

“South Africa has brazenly abandoned its relationship with the United States,” Jackson alleged, citing ties with Russia, China, Iran, and others.

Ramaphosa responded diplomatically, saying the US is entitled to take any actions it deems necessary, but reiterated that South Africa would continue to act responsibly and independently.

“We are not a government that acts out of spite or emotion. We examine everything carefully.”

No Comment on Trump Protests

When asked about anti-Trump demonstrations in the US related to tariff increases, Ramaphosa said it was not South Africa’s place to comment on the domestic issues of other nations.

“We don’t want to interfere. They must deal with their own challenges, as we must deal with ours,” he said.

The president noted that the South African government is still reviewing the impact of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.

As the GNU teeters and pressure mounts from multiple fronts—business, opposition parties, and international actors—Ramaphosa appears steadfast in his commitment to a people-first approach.

While the road ahead remains uncertain, especially with ongoing internal disputes and legal threats to the budget, the ANC leader insists that unity, not external pressure, will define the future of South Africa’s coalition government.

{Source The Citizen}

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