In politics, coalitions often resemble complex relationships. Just as in a personal relationship, there are moments of harmony, tension, and outright dysfunction.

Regarding the South African political landscape, the relationship between the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) appears to have spiralled into one of dysfunction, with both parties failing to navigate the complexities of their alliance. At this point, the coalition resembles the toxic dynamics often seen in real-life romantic relationships — one filled with distrust, frustration, and an inability to move forward together.

The question that begs to be answered is: Why not just end it? To understand why this alliance has deteriorated into a toxic partnership, let’s compare it to the relationship between a couple, which is strained and filled with tension. Imagine a situation where one partner is constantly critical, undermining the other at every opportunity, and publicly airing grievances that erode the very foundation of trust. Initially eager to make it work, the other partner feels increasingly undermined and unappreciated, leading to public displays of frustration and resentment. As a result, both sides are left wondering if the relationship can continue or if it’s better to part ways before further damage is done.

The ANC and the DA's relationship has become a political marriage on the brink of collapse. The DA has consistently used its position as a coalition partner to challenge the ANC’s policies and embarrass it publicly at every turn. The latest example of this toxic dynamic was the DA’s refusal to support the ANC-led government’s budget vote. Such a move signals that the DA is no longer interested in being a supportive partner but is more focused on undermining the ANC to score political points. The DA’s actions seem motivated more by opportunism and self-interest than by a genuine desire to work collaboratively.

This is not an isolated incident. Over the past few years, the DA has regularly sought to expose the weaknesses within the ANC, whether it’s highlighting corruption scandals or challenging unpopular government policies. While the DA’s role as the official opposition is to hold the ruling party to account, there is a fine line between holding the government accountable and destabilizing it for the sake of political gain. By continually attempting to embarrass the ANC, the DA seems to be more invested in scoring political points than in finding common ground for the betterment of South Africa. It’s almost as if the DA relishes in the dysfunction of the ANC, fuelling a cycle of distrust that makes the relationship unsustainable.

The ANC's coalition with the DA has become a burden that complicates its efforts to govern effectively. In any relationship, the lack of support and constant undermining create an environment where progress is slow and each move is met with suspicion.

Despite its internal challenges, the ANC finds itself in a position where it can not rely on its coalition partner, which has led to a breakdown in the relationship. No matter how much the ANC may want to salvage the coalition, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the DA’s lack of cooperation and willingness to turn on the party in public makes the relationship toxic. But why do the ANC and DA continue to cling to this partnership? Much like a couple that stays together despite apparent incompatibilities, both parties seem to be stuck in a political marriage of convenience. The ANC needs the DA’s support to maintain unity in government, particularly at the local government level, where the DA has significant influence. On the other hand, the DA seems to see the ANC as a convenient foil to demonstrate its political credibility, using the ANC’s failures to strengthen its position.

However, the truth is that this partnership is doing more harm than good. Just as a toxic relationship can prevent both partners from moving forward, the ongoing ANC-DA coalition is stalling South Africa’s political progress. The country is at a critical juncture, and what is needed is a united front that can work collaboratively to address the challenges facing the nation. Instead, we have a situation where the coalition is bogged down in a constant cycle of mistrust, public bickering, and political point-scoring.The solution? It’s time to end the alliance. Much like a couple that finally admits they are better off apart, the ANC and DA should acknowledge that their political marriage is beyond repair. The DA can continue serving as the official opposition, holding the government accountable, but it does not need to do so at the expense of governance.

Meanwhile, the ANC needs to find a more stable and reliable coalition partner that shares its vision for the future of South Africa and is committed to working together to achieve it. Ending the coalition would not be a failure; rather, it would be a recognition that specific political dynamics are unsustainable. It would also allow both parties to reassess their priorities and focus on the work that needs to be done, without the constant distractions of a toxic partnership. Just as in personal relationships, sometimes the best course of action is to let go, move on, and allow both parties to find healthier paths forward.

The ANC-DA relationship is a political alliance that has outlived its usefulness. It is fraught with distrust, manipulation, and public embarrassment, all of which undermine the effectiveness of governance. South Africa deserves better than this political dysfunction, and it is time for both parties to move on and allow the country to heal and progress without the constant tension that this toxic relationship brings.

*Mayalo is an independent writer, analyst, and commentator

**The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.