STATEMENT OF INTENT OF THE

2024 GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY

Preamble

1. South Africa has made strides since 1994 toward establishing a non-
racial, non-sexist, united and democratic society and improving the
lives of all who live in it. We are building a democratic state guided
by a progressive Constitution and a system of institutions that aim
to translate the values of the Constitution into practice.
2. The 2024 national and provincial election was highly contested and,
at times, divisive. The results of the election have the potential to
foment further political and social fragmentation. Relatively low
levels of voter turnout and registration suggest growing alienation
from the political system.
3. At this historic juncture, we must act to ensure stability and peace,
tackling the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and
inequality, entrench our Constitutional democracy and the rule of
law, and to build a South Africa for all its people.
4. The people of South Africa expect us to work together as political
parties to achieve these objectives, and to usher in a new era of
peace, justice and prosperity for all.
5. It is in this context that we, as Political Parties, that participated in
the 2024 Elections and received seats in the national and provincial
legislatures, pledge to cooperate through a voluntary Government
of National Unity (GNU).
6. The GNU2024 shall include cooperation in both the Executive and
the Legislature.

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7. The parties reaffirm our collective commitment to the founding
values of the Constitution and to the preamble to the Constitution,
which reads:
“We, the people of South Africa,
Recognize the injustices of our past;
Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our
land;
Respect those who have worked to build and develop our
country, and
Believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united
in our diversity.
We therefore, through our freely elected representatives,
adopt this Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic,
…”

FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES OF THE GNU

8. All parties to the GNU commit to uphold the following fundamental

principles:
8.1 Respect for the Constitution, the Bill of Rights in its
entirety, a united South Africa and the rule of law.
8.2 Non-racialism and non-sexism.
8.3 Social justice, redress and equity, and the alleviation of
poverty.
8.4 Human dignity and the progressive realisation of socio-
economic rights.
8.5 Nation-building, social cohesion and unity in diversity.
8.6 Peace, stability and safe communities, especially for
women and children.
8.7 Accountability, transparency and community participation
in government.
8.8 Evidence-based policy and decision-making.

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 8.9 A professional, merit-based, non-partisan, developmental
public service that puts people first.
8.10 Integrity, good governance and accountable leadership.

9. All parties that form part of the GNU commit to these principles.

10. The GNU is constituted in the interest of all South Africans. This
Statement of Intent will therefore be a public document to ensure
accountability and foster trust between the electorate and the
political parties that form part of the GNU.

BASIC MINIMUM PROGRAMME OF PRIORITIES

11. As Parties to this GNU, we agree that the 7th administration should
focus on the following priorities:
11.1 Rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, the
promotion of fixed capital investment and industrialization, job
creation, transformation, livelihood support, land reform,
infrastructure development, structural reforms and
transformational change, fiscal sustainability, and the
sustainable use of our national resources and endowments.
Macro-economic management must support national
development goals in a sustainable manner.
11.2 Creating a more just society by tackling poverty, spatial
inequalities, food security and the high cost of living, providing
a social safety net, improving access to and the quality of,
basic services, and protecting workers’ rights.
11.3 Stabilising local government, effective cooperative
governance, the assignment of appropriate responsibilities to

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 different spheres of government and review of the role of
traditional leadership in the governance framework.
11.4 Investing in people through education, skills development and
affordable quality health care.
11.5 Building state capacity and creating a professional, merit-
based, corruption-free and developmental public service.
Restructuring and improving state-owned entities to meet
national development goals.
11.6 Strengthening law enforcement agencies to address crime,
corruption and gender-based violence, as well as
strengthening national security capabilities.
11.7 Strengthening the effectiveness of Parliament in respect of its
legislative and oversight functions.
11.8 Strengthening social cohesion, nation-building and
democratic participation, and undertaking common
programmes against racism, sexism, tribalism and other
forms of intolerance.
11.9 Foreign policy based on human rights, constitutionalism, the
national interest, solidarity, peaceful resolution of conflicts, to
achieve the African Agenda 2063, South-South, North-South
and African cooperation, multilateralism and a just, peaceful
and equitable world.

12. Parties commit to an all-inclusive National Dialogue process - with

parties, civil society, labour, business and other sectors - to discuss
these and other critical challenges facing the nation. The National
Dialogue process will seek to develop a national social compact that
enables the country to meet the aspirations of the National
Development Plan.
13. The parties to this GNU Statement of Intent shall, following the
formation of the GNU, hold a Lekgotla (Strategy Session) develop

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 an agreed policy agenda, which shall include policy priorities for the
GNU.

MODALITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY

14. Parties will work together in good faith and seek to build consensus
on the formation of government where no party has an outright
majority, on the basis of the above shared values and minimum
programme, and in the interest of all South Africa’s people.

15. Parties will cooperate with each other in respect of the executive
and/or legislature activities to advance these shared goals.

16. The Government of National Unity shall be constituted in a manner

that reflects genuine inclusiveness of political parties that are party
to this Statement of Intent and are represented in the National
Assembly broadly taking into account the number of seats parties
have in the National Assembly and the need to advance the National
Interest. The President shall in constituting the Executive, take into
account the electoral outcomes.

17. Whilst recognizing the President’s prerogative to appoint Members

of the Executive, such appointments should be done in consultation
with the Leaders of the respective Parties of the Members
considered for appointment.

18. The GNU shall take decisions in accordance with the established
practice of consensus. Where no consensus is possible, the
principle of sufficient consensus shall apply.

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19. Sufficient consensus exists when;
19.1 All parties have had the opportunity to express their views;
19.2 Despite reasonable attempts to resolve disagreements, and
find common ground, there is no general consensus;
19.3 Parties to the GNU representing 60% of seats in the National
Assembly agree; and
19.4 Any party that disagrees has been able to formally record
their objections.

20. The Parties to the GNU shall also establish dispute resolution or
deadlock breaking mechanisms, in instances where sufficient
consensus is not reached. Parties should raise disputes within the
mechanisms created for this purpose.

21. The parties recognize established Government and Cabinet

protocols in decision-making and the formulation of the budget.

22. This GNU Statement of Intent and Modalities may guide approaches
to provincial government in the interests of effective, stable and
responsive governance which meet the needs of the people in a
province.

23. Parties to this agreement will form a GNU Consultations Council

that will be responsible for Consultations and monitoring progress on
the minimum programme of the Government of National Unity, and
alignment of the 7th administration’s programme, its resourcing and
implementation mechanisms.

24. In keeping with the spirit of an inclusive GNU it is agreed that the
composition shall be discussed and agreed amongst the existing
parties, whenever new parties desire to be part of the GNU.

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25. The parties to this Statement of Intent agree that on 14 June 2024,
they will elect the national office bearers as set out in Addendum A.

26. The parties to this Statement of Intent agree that on 15 June 2024
they will elect the national office bearers as set out in Addendum B.

27. The parties to this Statement of Intent agree that when committees
of Parliament are constituted, the spirit of a Parliament of National
Unity shall be implemented to enable parties that are part of the GNU
to be accorded leadership positions of some committees. In this
regard the parties agree that the IFP shall be elected to the position
of Chair of Chairs.

28. Amendments to this document must be agreed to by sufficient

consensus.

SIGNED BY

PARTY NAME AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE

PARTY FIKILE MBALULA HELEN ZILLE

CHAIRPERSON OF THE FEDERAL COUNCIL
REPRESENTATIVE SECRETARY GENERAL

SIGNATURE

DATE 14 JUNE 2024

PLACE CAPE TOWN

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ADDENDUM A

NATIONAL OFFICE BEARER PARTY

President of the Republic of South Africa ANC

Speaker of the National Assembly ANC

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly DA

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 ADDENDUM B

NATIONAL OFFICE BEARER PARTY

Chairperson of the National Council of ANC
Provinces
Deputy Chairperson of the National
Council of Provinces