This gathering brought together thought leaders, academics, and activists for a critical examination of the GNU, offering insights into its functioning at both the national and local levels. The discussion delved into the GNU’s impact on South Africa's socio-economic landscape, the tensions between national and local governance structures, and outlined the way forward as the country moves towards the 2026 local elections. The event was recorded and produced into a video podcast to ensure broad accessibility and engagement. Moderator: Jamie Mighti, Africa Research Desk Keynote Address: Mbali Ntuli, CEO and Founder Groundwork Panel: Yolokazi Mfuto, Phindile Kunene, Dr Thabang Sefalafala