ANC Loses Majority For The First Time In 30 Years, Moves For Coalition

South African parties are preparing for coalition discussions as the ruling African National Congress (ANC) is expected to lose its majority for the first time since its inception 30 years ago.

Despite remaining the largest party after Wednesday’s election, the ANC’s support has significantly decreased due to years of economic hardship.

With nearly 70% of votes counted, the ANC has 41.8% of the vote, down from 57.5% in 2019. This decline means the ANC must form a coalition with another party.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is in second place with 22.6%, while uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), a party led by former president Jacob Zuma, has 12.2%. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) hold 9.5%.

The election results will determine each party’s seats in the National Assembly, which will elect the next president. The current President, Cyril Ramaphosa, could remain in power, but the ANC’s poor performance may challenge his leadership.

However, the Deputy Secretary-General of ANC, Nomvula Mokonyane, said “nobody is going to resign” and that they are still confident that Ramaphosa “has to remain the president of the ANC.”

DA leader John Steenhuisen said coalition talks would begin over the weekend, starting with members of the Multi-Party Charter (MPC), an alliance of 11 opposition parties. Speaking to Reuters, Steenhuisen said, “The election (has) taken place now; we’ve got to play the hand that the voters have given us, so we will look at a variety of options that will exist.”

Furthermore, MK party spokesman Nhlamulo Ndhlela told Reuters that MK is willing to partner with the ANC but not under Ramaphosa’s leadership.

The election commission has seven days to release full provisional results.

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Emmanuel Ejiofor

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