ANC postpones special NEC meeting as business sector urges unity

ANC postpones special NEC meeting as business sector urges unity! The African National Congress (ANC) has postponed its much-anticipated special National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, originally scheduled for Monday, amid growing pressure from the business sector to preserve the fragile Government of National Unity (GNU). The decision to put the meeting on hold comes just days after the Democratic Alliance (DA) voted against the fiscal framework in Parliament, sparking a political crisis within the GNU coalition.

Business Lobbies to Save GNU

The ANC’s decision to delay the NEC meeting appears to have been influenced in part by lobbying efforts from prominent figures in the private sector. According to insiders, business leaders have made direct appeals to President Cyril Ramaphosa and DA leader John Steenhuisen, urging them to find common ground and avoid a collapse of the multi-party coalition government.

The GNU, which includes ten political parties and was formed to promote stability and cooperative governance following the 2024 national elections, now faces a critical test of its endurance and legitimacy.

NEC meeting

Rising Tensions Within the ANC

While the business community advocates for compromise, tensions within the ANC are reaching boiling point. Several NEC members have expressed frustration with the leadership’s decision to cancel the special meeting, viewing it as a potential backtrack from earlier warnings directed at the DA.

Earlier in the week, both Ramaphosa and his deputy Paul Mashatile told ANC Members of Parliament (MPs) that the DA’s refusal to support the budget amounted to self-expulsion from the GNU. This firm stance appeared to suggest that the ANC was preparing to sever ties with the DA — a move many party members welcomed.

However, the sudden postponement of the NEC meeting has raised concerns among rank-and-file members that the leadership may be softening its position under external pressure.

“If Ramaphosa takes their [business sector’s] word over his own party, he might as well call it quits on leading the ANC,” one party insider said.

Leadership Seeks More Consultation

According to sources, the ANC’s National Working Committee (NWC) — which was initially set to meet on Sunday — has now been moved to Monday. The intention is to allow further consultation and deliberation by party officials before any decisions are made regarding the DA’s future in the GNU.

One senior ANC official confirmed that while tensions with the DA have reached a breaking point, the leadership felt that more thorough discussion was necessary before taking any formal steps.

“We’ve reached a point of no return with the DA,” the official said. “But we need to ensure that all considerations, including national interest and party unity, are factored into our final decision.”

DA in Disarray Over GNU Role

Meanwhile, the DA itself appears divided on whether to remain in the GNU. Some in the party’s leadership are advocating for continued participation in the unity government, arguing that it presents an opportunity to influence policy and governance positively. Others feel that the GNU is stifling the DA’s identity and undermining its opposition role.

According to sources, DA leaders have told the business community that if they are concerned about the GNU’s future, they should address those concerns directly with the ANC.

“If they want to keep the GNU as it is, they must talk to the ANC,” a DA insider reportedly told concerned business leaders.

What’s Next?

The next few days will be critical in determining the fate of the GNU. The outcome of Monday’s ANC NWC meeting will likely shape the party’s approach moving forward — either continuing to work with the DA under stricter conditions or preparing to part ways altogether.

As pressure mounts from within the ANC and from the country’s economic stakeholders, President Ramaphosa finds himself navigating one of the most delicate balancing acts of his presidency — between party loyalty, national stability, and public confidence.