With President Cyril Ramaphosa expected to announce his Cabinet today, there was more cheer – for advocates of the government of national unity (GNU) – with the FF Plus yesterday announcing that it has thrown its hat in the ring.

It has been reported that the ANC previously announced that the GNU consisted of the DA, IFP, GOOD and the Patriotic Alliance (PA).

FF Plus leader Pieter Groenewald said the party signed the statement of intent after careful consideration and it will use this opportunity to advance and implement the mandate from its voters to save SA from ruin.

The Presidency has confirmed that Ramaphosa will engage in high-level consultations with senior ANC officials, alliance partners and signatories of the GNU to incorporate voices from across the political spectrum as he finalises the composition of his Cabinet.

Business Day has also reliably learnt that some ANC MPs have been asked ‘to make space’ for some of Ramaphosa’s preferred candidates for the national executive.

ANC insiders have revealed that notable figures such as former Johannesburg Mayor Parks Tau, who spearheaded strategic economic projects in the metro during his term, and former ambassador to the US Ebrahim Rasool are among those who are tipped to make it into Cabinet.

After Ramaphosa’s inauguration on Wednesday, the national executive was dissolved, requiring the appointment of new Ministers to ensure a functional government.

Traditionally, the Cabinet is appointed soon after the inauguration, but there is no constitutional requirement on the time frame.

Full Business Day report