South Africa's Government of National Unity clearing house has finally adopted its terms of reference, more than a year after its establishment. The mechanism, aimed at resolving policy disputes in the 10-party coalition, includes an 'agree to disagree' clause for unresolved issues. This development comes ahead of the 2025 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement.
The Government of National Unity's (GNU) clearing house mechanism, established in September 2024 to address policy disagreements among the 10-party coalition, adopted its terms of reference (ToR) on 29 October 2025. Deputy President Paul Mashatile, as chairperson, convened a virtual meeting where the adoption was announced, following delays due to disagreements over draft ToR first tabled in October 2024.
Keith Khoza, Mashatile's spokesperson, explained that a working group, chaired by Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Andries Nel and including representatives from the DA, Rise Mzansi, and PAC, resolved key issues. Submissions were received from the Good Party, Al Jama-ah, the DA, and the UDM. The group developed a dispute resolution process flowchart, clarified the clearing house as a recommending body rather than decision-making, proposed monthly meetings, and suggested referring unresolved matters to the political leaders' forum instead of the President. It also endorsed an 'agree to disagree' resolution when consensus fails.
The ToR emphasize that the GNU Statement of Intent remains foundational, with sufficient consensus applying only to decision-making bodies like the GNU and political leaders' forum. The 'agree to disagree' outcome does not constitute a party decision, records disagreements with GNU structures or Cabinet resolutions, and confirms no withdrawal from the coalition. It will be presented to the political leaders' forum for ratification, and future changes can be made as a living document.
This follows a previous failure to reach consensus on implementing sections 4 and 5 of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act in December 2024. DA spokesperson Willie Aucamp welcomed the ToR, stating it prevents sidelining the Statement of Intent and confirms the clearing house's non-decision-making role. Rise Mzansi's Makashule Gana noted the document was cleaned of ambiguities and includes a process flow diagram. Good Party secretary-general Brett Herron highlighted delays from infighting over issues like Bela but said monthly meetings will foster common ground and better communication, potentially averting crises like the year's Budget disputes.
The mechanism addresses thorny issues such as the Bela Act and National Health Insurance (NHI) Act, with its effectiveness seen as crucial to the coalition's stability.