Inaugural Meeting of the GNU Clearing House Aims to Resolve Policy Disagreements

Johannesburg: The first meeting of the Government of National Unity (GNU) clearing house mechanism, recently established to handle policy disagreements among South Africa's coalition government parties, marked a positive beginning. According to South African Government News Agency, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who chairs the clearing house in his role as Leader of Government Business in Parliament, led the virtual meeting. The Office of the Deputy President is designated as the Secretariat for the GNU clearing house mechanism, which was created by President Cyril Ramaphosa last month to foster coherence among the 10-member coalition. The attendees of the meeting approved the draft terms of reference, setting the stage for their finalization in the next meeting scheduled for Thursday, 24 October in Parliament. The agenda for this upcoming session includes discussions on South Africa's upcoming G20 Presidency, the National Dialogue, and specific legislative challenges like the Basic Education Laws Amendme nt (BELA) Bill. The recent signing of the BELA Bill by President Ramaphosa was noted, alongside a deferment in the implementation of certain clauses to allow further discussion. This legislative move aims to address contentious issues related to school admissions and language policies. The meeting underscored the inherent challenges in coalition governance, acknowledging that contradictions are typical. Learning from international examples of coalition governments was highlighted as a pragmatic approach to navigating these complexities. Key outcomes from the meeting included a focus on three strategic priorities for the GNU: driving inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state. The clearing house mechanism aims not to supersede Cabinet decisions but to cultivate a shared understanding of critical policy issues among coalition members. Furthermore, the establishment of a Technical Committee was agreed upon to process divergent views within th e GNU, which will also lead to the creation of a Political Leaders' Forum for parties that have signed the statement of intent. Key political figures such as Ministers from the African National Congress, Democratic Alliance, and representatives from other parties like Inkatha Freedom Party and the GOOD Party were present. The meeting also recorded an apology from Deputy Minister Bantu Holomisa of the United Democratic Movement, who could not attend. This initiative by the GNU is seen as a strategic move to enhance policy coordination and effectiveness amidst South Africa's complex political landscape.