In a landmark shift, the African National Congress (ANC) has lost its parliamentary majority in an election that promises to reshape South Africa’s political landscape for the first time since the end of apartheid three decades ago.
This dramatic change highlights the evolving dynamics of South African politics and the growing dissatisfaction with the ANC, which has dominated the nation’s governance since the seminal all-race elections in 1994.
As of Saturday, with more than 99 percent of the votes counted, the ANC secured only about 40 percent of the vote in the recent elections, falling significantly short of the majority it has maintained for nearly 30 years.
This result represents a stark departure from the overwhelming support it enjoyed under the leadership of Nelson Mandela, who became the country’s first black president in 1994.
The main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), garnered 21.63 percent of the vote, while uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), a new party led by former president and ex-ANC leader Jacob Zuma, captured 14.71 percent.
The emergence of MK has notably siphoned off votes from the ANC, illustrating internal divisions and dissatisfaction within the party’s traditional base.
Opposition parties have celebrated the election outcome as a pivotal moment for a country grappling with entrenched poverty and inequality. DA leader John Steenhuisen declared, “The way to rescue South Africa is to break the ANC’s majority and we have done that.” Despite losing its majority, the ANC remains the largest party, a testament to its enduring, albeit waning, influence.
Reporting from the Results Operation Centre in Midrand, Al Jazeera’s Mike Hanna explained that the ANC faces the daunting task of forming a new government. “It [ANC] has to find a partner in order to be able to govern. Otherwise, it could try to form a minority government, which could make it very difficult to pass any form of legislation or advance ANC policy,” he said.
Gwede Mantashe, ANC chair and current Minister of Mines and Energy, indicated a willingness to engage in coalition talks, stating, “We can talk to everybody and anybody,” though he avoided specifics on potential coalition partners.
The final determination of parliamentary seats, based on the vote share, will decide the composition of the National Assembly, which in turn elects the nation’s president.
Current President Cyril Ramaphosa remains in a precarious position. Although the ANC is poised to receive about twice as many votes as any other party, Ramaphosa’s weakened standing could lead to internal and external pressures calling for his resignation.
However, a high-ranking ANC official recently voiced support for Ramaphosa to stay on as party leader, noting the absence of a clear successor.
The Independent Electoral Commission, responsible for overseeing the election, has scheduled the final results announcement for Sunday.
The unfolding political scenario suggests that any coalition deal to keep the ANC in power could involve significant compromises, such as offering opposition parties cabinet posts or increased parliamentary control, potentially even the speaker’s position.
This historic election not only signifies a critical juncture in South African politics but also sets the stage for an era of coalition governance and intensified political maneuvering, as the ANC navigates its most challenging landscape since the dawn of democracy in the nation.
In a landmark shift, the African National Congress (ANC) has lost its parliamentary majority in an election that promises to reshape South Africa’s political landscape for the first time since the end of apartheid three decades ago.
This dramatic change highlights the evolving dynamics of South African politics and the growing dissatisfaction with the ANC, which has dominated the nation’s governance since the seminal all-race elections in 1994.
As of Saturday, with more than 99 percent of the votes counted, the ANC secured only about 40 percent of the vote in the recent elections, falling significantly short of the majority it has maintained for nearly 30 years.
This result represents a stark departure from the overwhelming support it enjoyed under the leadership of Nelson Mandela, who became the country’s first black president in 1994.
The main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), garnered 21.63 percent of the vote, while uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), a new party led by former president and ex-ANC leader Jacob Zuma, captured 14.71 percent.
The emergence of MK has notably siphoned off votes from the ANC, illustrating internal divisions and dissatisfaction within the party’s traditional base.
Opposition parties have celebrated the election outcome as a pivotal moment for a country grappling with entrenched poverty and inequality. DA leader John Steenhuisen declared, “The way to rescue South Africa is to break the ANC’s majority and we have done that.” Despite losing its majority, the ANC remains the largest party, a testament to its enduring, albeit waning, influence.
Reporting from the Results Operation Centre in Midrand, Al Jazeera’s Mike Hanna explained that the ANC faces the daunting task of forming a new government. “It [ANC] has to find a partner in order to be able to govern. Otherwise, it could try to form a minority government, which could make it very difficult to pass any form of legislation or advance ANC policy,” he said.
Gwede Mantashe, ANC chair and current Minister of Mines and Energy, indicated a willingness to engage in coalition talks, stating, “We can talk to everybody and anybody,” though he avoided specifics on potential coalition partners.
The final determination of parliamentary seats, based on the vote share, will decide the composition of the National Assembly, which in turn elects the nation’s president.
Current President Cyril Ramaphosa remains in a precarious position. Although the ANC is poised to receive about twice as many votes as any other party, Ramaphosa’s weakened standing could lead to internal and external pressures calling for his resignation.
However, a high-ranking ANC official recently voiced support for Ramaphosa to stay on as party leader, noting the absence of a clear successor.
The Independent Electoral Commission, responsible for overseeing the election, has scheduled the final results announcement for Sunday.
The unfolding political scenario suggests that any coalition deal to keep the ANC in power could involve significant compromises, such as offering opposition parties cabinet posts or increased parliamentary control, potentially even the speaker’s position.
This historic election not only signifies a critical juncture in South African politics but also sets the stage for an era of coalition governance and intensified political maneuvering, as the ANC navigates its most challenging landscape since the dawn of democracy in the nation.
