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Mmusi Maimane Steps Into the GNU Storm: What His Briefing Could Mean for South Africa
Mmusi Maimane Steps Into the GNU Storm
Johannesburg is once again at the centre of political theatre. Dr Mmusi Maimane, leader of Build One South Africa (BOSA), is expected to face the media in Rosebank this morning, where he will unpack the tensions tearing through the Government of National Unity (GNU) and the fallout from the much-criticised National Dialogue.
He will not be alone. Maimane will be joined by BOSA deputy leader Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster, Gauteng legislator Ayanda Allie, and board chairperson Stevens Mokgalapa. The timing is telling. South Africans are still debating whether the National Dialogue was a meaningful exercise or a costly spectacle.
A Dialogue Dividing the Nation
The National Dialogue, hosted at UNISA last weekend, was meant to be a unifying platform. Instead, it exposed rifts both inside and outside government. Former president Thabo Mbeki, respected foundations such as the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, and civil society groups boycotted the event. Their concerns were sharp: a rushed timeline, confusion over an alleged R700 million budget, and a sense that the process was leaning too heavily towards government control.
President Cyril Ramaphosa hit back at critics, insisting that true dialogue requires people inside the tent rather than outside criticising. “The National Dialogue is a call to action, not a platform for spectators,” he said, urging all stakeholders to engage rather than withdraw.
Opposition Pushback
Opposition parties were far less diplomatic. The MK Party dismissed the dialogue as an “expensive sideshow” designed to centralise power in the Presidency and weaken Parliament. The Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) walked away too, claiming the process was being used to polish the ANC’s image ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
These moves highlight ongoing tensions in the GNU, where coalition partners have clashed over everything from economic policy to accountability measures. Even lobby groups like AfriForum and Solidarity withdrew, deepening perceptions of a dialogue that is more fractured than unifying.
Ramaphosa’s Defence
At UNISA, Ramaphosa sought to calm nerves about the alleged R740 million budget. He insisted the dialogue would run at minimal cost, using free venues like schools, churches, and community halls. UNISA’s vice-chancellor, Professor Puleng LenkaBula, was thanked for offering the campus venue without charge.
Still, scepticism lingers. With rising unemployment, persistent load shedding, and mounting public frustration, South Africans are questioning whether large-scale political conventions are the right answer to their immediate struggles.
Why Maimane’s Voice Matters
For Maimane, today’s briefing is more than political theatre. It is a chance to position BOSA as a credible alternative in a crowded opposition space. With key political figures absent from the dialogue and the GNU looking increasingly fragile, his commentary could resonate with South Africans disillusioned by what feels like politics as usual.
Social media reactions have mirrored this frustration. Many South Africans have voiced cynicism about the National Dialogue, calling it a “talk shop” detached from real problems like the cost of living and job creation. For others, the withdrawals by legacy leaders such as Mbeki signalled that the process lacked legitimacy from the start.
As Maimane prepares to speak, the stakes are clear. His words will be weighed not only against government spin but also against public impatience with empty promises.
Looking Ahead
Whether Maimane uses the platform to challenge the ANC directly, build bridges within the GNU, or announce bold policy directions for BOSA’s fourth quarter agenda, his media briefing will set the tone for how South Africa’s opposition intends to shape the coming months.
The question is whether he can move beyond critique and capture the hopes of a restless nation searching for real solutions.
Also read: EFF Rejects US Pressure Over South Africa’s Military Visit to Iran
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Source: IOL
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