South Africa's political marriage of convenience avoids divorce

South Africa's two largest parties, the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA), remain in an uneasy Government of National Unity (GNU) that has marked its first anniversary without either side filing for divorce. The coalition formed after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority in last year's elections, and the DA has since clashed publicly with President Ramaphosa over issues including the Expropriation Act and the dismissal of deputy trade minister Andrew Whitfield. DA leader John Steenhuisen said the party's executive had considered a motion of no confidence in the president and might launch one in future. Political analyst Dr Levy Ndou said the parties' fundamental differences will remain a permanent source of conflict.