Michael Andisile Mayalo
South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) was formed to stabilise the country during tumultuous times.
Yet, as the country faces the tragic loss of 13 soldiers from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the cracks in this unity are becoming all too clear. Rather than focusing on national healing and rallying behind the families of those who have sacrificed so much, the political landscape is riddled with self-serving infighting.
The recent tensions within the Democratic Alliance (DA) regarding the controversial Land Bill and broader internal conflicts within the GNU highlight a disheartening truth: the unity meant to heal South Africa is being torn apart by political squabbles and individual agendas. The formation of the GNU was intended to bring together various political factions to address the nation's pressing challenges.
A government of this kind is typically expected to set aside partisan differences in the interest of national solidarity, particularly when the country is grappling with crises. However, the current situation reveals that this political alliance may have been less about serving the greater good and more about securing power and influence for the political elites involved.
The Land Bill, a key issue that has been at the centre of tensions within the GNU, has further exposed the deep divides within the coalition. While the DA, one of the key members of the GNU, has been vocal in opposing the bill, the infighting over this contentious piece of legislation reflects a broader issue within the government: political parties are more invested in their agendas than in presenting a unified front on issues of national importance. Instead of focusing on the tragedy of the 13 soldiers' deaths and offering the nation the leadership it needs during this period of mourning, the country’s political leadership is caught up in disputes over land reform policies that continue to deepen divisions.
The Land Bill debate, which has already sparked significant unrest within the GNU, is emblematic of a larger issue: political parties, including the DA, appear more interested in their ideological stances and internal power struggles than national unity. At a time when South Africans should be mourning the loss of their brave soldiers, these political squabbles not only serve to undermine the government’s credibility but also distract from the true purpose of governance: to serve the people. Rather than uniting behind a cause greater than themselves, political figures are embroiled in conflicts that ultimately harm the nation's very fabric.
This is particularly concerning when we consider the national tragedy that should be at the forefront of public attention: the death of 13 SANDF soldiers while on a peacekeeping mission. These soldiers gave their lives in service to their country, and their sacrifice deserves to be honoured by the collective grief and support of the nation. Instead, the country’s political leaders seem more interested in maintaining power and pushing their agendas than showing respect for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. This failure to prioritize national solidarity in the wake of tragedy exposes how selfish the political landscape has become.
The collapse of unity within the DA clearly reflects the deeper issues within the GNU. Instead of fostering cooperation and a collective response to the country's challenges, the political parties within the alliance are focused on their internal battles. The DA's opposition to the Land Bill and its internal disagreements over responding to the growing governance challenges demonstrate that political unity in South Africa is fragile at best. When the nation is facing such a critical moment—mourning the loss of soldiers who died serving their country—the focus should be on national healing, not internal disputes over policy.
What is needed now is leadership that transcends political divides and focuses on what is best for the country. The tragic deaths of the SANDF soldiers should serve as a unifying force, bringing all South Africans together in shared grief and national pride. Instead, the political infighting and tensions within the GNU threaten to erode this unity, preventing the country from coming together to honour the fallen and address the challenges.
South Africa’s political leaders must recognize that their roles are not merely about advancing their own party's interests but about serving the nation's greater good. At this critical time, the country needs a government that can put aside its internal differences and work together to support the families of the deceased soldiers, strengthen the SANDF, and ensure that the country remains united in its grief. The focus must shift from political posturing to genuine leadership and from self-interest to collective responsibility.
The current state of South Africa’s Government of National Unity demonstrates how fragile political alliances can be when personal agendas and ideological divisions drive them. Instead of fostering unity, these divides put the country’s stability at risk, particularly when solidarity should be the top priority. It is time for the country’s leaders to stop fighting among themselves and come together for the nation's good, especially in this time of mourning. The death of the 13 soldiers should be a moment for all South Africans to reflect, honour, and unite—not a time for political fragmentation.
Mayalo is an independent writer, analyst, and commentator.