GOOD Statement by Brett Herron,
GOOD Secretary-General
28 June 2025
The Democratic Alliance’s decision to withdraw from the National Dialogue reflects a deep unwillingness to prioritise South Africa’s collective future over party posturing. This latest tantrum, triggered by the President’s refusal to yield to an artificial 48-hour ultimatum, is not a principled stand – it is political theatre. The DA’s ultimatum was exposed as inconsequential and their frequent tantrums are quite frankly embarrassing.
South Africa does not need parties walking away from dialogue. It needs leadership that can engage with complexity, manage disagreement maturely, and stay the course. The DA’s decision to abandon the National Dialogue, while clinging to its GNU positions, exposes the contradiction in its stance.
The GOOD Party reaffirms our support for the National Dialogue as a platform for real engagement on South Africa’s most pressing challenges. It was always intended to give voice to all sectors of society, not just political parties with media budgets and marketing machines.
The DA claims that the President violated this duty by retaining ANC ministers facing allegations. But no formal charges have been brought against these ministers, only allegations in the media. Governance cannot be reduced to guilt by headline. This is precisely why the DA, in Cape Town, has retained MMCs JP Smith and Xanthea Limberg in office despite the corruption investigations they are under.
The DA boasts that its ministers are outperforming their counterparts and that this has made the ANC “jealous.” The reality is that the DA’s press machine is simply more active on social media. A video of Minister Dion George painting a curb is not a symbol of delivery; it is a photo op masquerading as service.
The DA has also accused the President of maintaining a bloated cabinet to appease the ANC. GOOD has consistently said the cabinet is too large, but we recognise that it is the product of an inclusive GNU that reflects South Africa’s diversity and political complexity. Inclusion is not a flaw, it is a necessity in coalition governance.
We urge our GNU partners to resist distractions and remain focused on delivery, transparency, and building a just, inclusive society. Political showmanship will not solve inequality or restore trust in government but honest dialogue and accountable leadership might.
Media enquiries: media@forgood.org.za