Abstract

Governments of National Unity (GNU) are constituted with “National Unity” being the fundamental objective for previously or historically divided elements of the society. Unlike coalitions, GNU are inclusive by design and not necessarily driven by the desire to resolve the dilemma arising from hung parliaments or local municipalities. A GNU as an inclusive form of a government seeks to create a stable administrative and good governance. This form of government is embedded in the broad theory of power sharing and is underpinned by the public office-seeking theory and desire to access the state. Inherently, each GNU formed in a particular discourse imposes a threat(s) or an opportunity as it arise. To affirm the 2024 GNU in South Africa (SA) as either a threat or an opportunity, the researchers conducted a qualitative desktop literature review. While the article provides an African experience of a GNU, it further identifies the potential threats and opportunities form a GNU. Constitutional time constraints to establish the national assembly prevents the parties from constituting a fully inclusive GNU. The author argues that a GNU is South Africa, 2024 present both threats and opportunities.

Keywords: Government, Elections, Unity, Coalition, Power sharing