South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) is in search of allies to form a new government after losing its absolute majority in a watershed election, marking a historic turning point for the nation. The ANC now faces negotiations with other parties to back President Cyril Ramaphosa’s re-election in parliament and allow him to form a minority administration dependent on other groups for support in passing budgets and legislation.
With 99.85% of the votes from Wednesday’s election counted, the ANC secured only 40%, a significant decrease from its previous victory of 57.5% in 2019. The ANC has enjoyed an absolute majority since 1994 when liberation hero Nelson Mandela led South Africa out of white-minority rule and into democracy.
The final election results were expected to be formally announced on Sunday, with President Ramaphosa due to deliver an address during an official ceremony near Johannesburg. However, some parties have alleged discrepancies in the vote count. Former ANC leader Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) warned electoral authorities against proceeding with the final announcements, accusing them of unspecified “serious” issues without providing any supporting evidence.
Data from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) revealed that MK was in third place with 14.5%, a surprising score for a party founded just months ago as a vehicle for Zuma. The largest opposition party, the centre-right Democratic Alliance (DA), held second place with 21.81%, slightly up from its performance in the 2019 election at 20.77.
The ANC’s deputy secretary general, Nomvula Mokonyane, confirmed that the party had been talking to everyone before and after the election, adding that the ANC’s NEC decision-making body would meet to decide on a course of action following the announcement of final results. The ANC will need to negotiate a coalition government or persuade other parties to back President Ramaphosa’s re-election in parliament to allow him to form a minority administration reliant on other groups for support to pass budgets and legislation.