A request by the Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Geordin Hill-Lewis for changes to the representation of the party in Cabinet has sparked debate about the extent to which coalition partners can influence executive appointments in the Government of National Unity (GNU) of South Africa.
The request, which has been widely reported in the media, proposes that DA federal chairperson Willie Aucamp replace John Steenhuisen as Minister of Agriculture, while Steenhuisen would move to the position of Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition. However, no Cabinet reshuffle has been announced, and any changes would require the approval of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who holds the constitutional authority to appoint and dismiss ministers.
The development has drawn attention to the evolving nature of coalition governance in South Africa, where political consultation among GNU partners increasingly intersects with constitutional provisions governing executive authority.
According to Adv. Mpho Justice Khoza from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Law, while coalition politics may shape discussions around Cabinet appointments, the Constitution remains clear on where the legal authority resides.
“The Constitution is unequivocal on the exercise of presidential powers in the GNU under section 91(2); the President alone has the authority to appoint and dismiss ministers,” said Adv. Khoza.
“If reports are accurate that the DA influenced Cabinet changes, this suggests that presidential power within the GNU is no longer exercised unilaterally. While the legal authority remains centralised in the President, the political reality of coalition governance requires structured consultation with partners. In practice, presidential power is legally intact but politically negotiated.”
The debate comes at a time when South Africa continues to navigate coalition governance following the formation of the GNU after the 2024 national elections. The coalition arrangement brought together parties with differing political priorities, creating a governance model in which consultation and compromise have become central features of decision-making.
Adv. Khoza said coalition politics can legitimately shape Cabinet appointments, provided constitutional safeguards remain intact.
“Coalition politics can legitimately shape Cabinet appointments, but only within constitutional boundaries,” he said. “Parties may request personnel changes in their allocated portfolios, reflecting accountability to their constituencies. However, the President retains a constitutional veto to ensure that appointees meet standards of merit, integrity and national security.”
He added that ministers remain accountable to Parliament and the President, regardless of coalition agreements.
“This means coalition agreements cannot insulate ministers from oversight or presidential dismissal if governance standards are not upheld,” he said.
Adv. Khoza said the debate surrounding the request of the DA reflects broader questions about how coalition governments in South Africa will function in the future.
“The influence of coalition partners over ministerial appointments is significant,” he said. “Institutionally, it risks fragmenting Cabinet unity, as ministers may feel primarily accountable to their party leaders rather than the President.”
At the same time, he noted that coalition politics can create additional avenues of accountability by enabling parties to respond directly to concerns raised by their supporters.
“Politically, it introduces a new form of accountability, where parties respond directly to public pressure, such as dissatisfaction in the agricultural sector, by reshuffling their representatives,” he said.
“Constitutionally, this sets a precedent for the evolving coalition framework of South Africa, showing that governance now depends on balancing the written provisions of the Constitution with the unwritten agreements of coalition politics.”
“For the public, this dual accountability may strengthen democratic responsiveness but also complicate perceptions of unified governance.”
As discussions around Cabinet representation continue, the debate offers an early glimpse into how constitutional authority and coalition politics are likely to interact in the evolving political landscape of South Africa.
Adv. Mpho Justice Khoza.
