Balancing power and policy: governing South Africa through a fragile national unity coalition

Abstract

The formation of South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) following the 2024 general elections marked a significant departure from dominant-party governance. This article examines the political and institutional challenges that have emerged under this coalition arrangement. Drawing on developments involving major actors such as the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance, the paper analyses how ideological divergence, administrative fragmentation, and the absence of formal coalition protocols have constrained governance capacity. The study evaluates five interrelated domains: policy coherence, institutional coordination, service delivery, coalition stability, and democratic legitimacy. It does so through the lens of consociational democracy and coalition stability theory. The analysis highlights how tactical alliances and power brokering by smaller parties, combined with limited public engagement, have eroded public trust and stalled reform. Although the GNU has prevented a political breakdown and created a platform for dialogue, it has not yet been translated into functional governance. The article argues that South Africa’s experience emphasizes the need for structural reforms, including codified coalition agreements, electoral reform, and enhanced civic participation. By critically assessing the GNU’s governance trajectory, this study offers lessons for other transitional democracies navigating the tension between pluralism and administrative effectiveness