South Africa’s recent election has led to a dramatic shift in the political landscape, with the African National Congress (ANC), the party that ended apartheid in 1994, losing its majority for the first time in three decades. Despite this, the ANC remains the largest party in Parliament. As no single party has secured a majority, political leaders are now engaged in complex coalition negotiations to form a government, a new experience for a country accustomed to ANC dominance.
Four major political parties and at least eight others with significant shares of the vote have emerged from last week’s election, complicating the formation of a stable government. Here are key figures and potential developments as South Africa navigates this unprecedented scenario.
President Cyril Ramaphosa: A Leader Under Pressure
Incumbent South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, once a protege of Nelson Mandela, is now overseeing the worst election result in the ANC’s history. At 71, he faces mounting pressure within his own party and from voters.
Ramaphosa’s immediate task is to guide the ANC through coalition talks. The most obvious partner is the main opposition, the Democratic Alliance (DA). Together, they would have enough seats to govern, but the DA has been a fierce critic of ANC policies for years, making this an uneasy alliance. Alternatively, the ANC could join forces with the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), but this could hurt South Africa’s image with foreign investors due to their policies of nationalizing key industries.
The coalition agreement is crucial for Ramaphosa’s political future. South Africans vote for parties to determine parliamentary seats, and lawmakers then elect the president. The ANC no longer has enough lawmakers to reelect Ramaphosa on its own, making coalition support essential for his second term.
John Steenhuisen: Democratic Alliance Leader
John Steenhuisen, 48, leads the centrist Democratic Alliance (DA) and is the only white leader among the four main parties. He has initiated talks with various parties, excluding the MK and EFF due to ideological differences. Analysts view a DA-ANC coalition as the most stable option, with some suggesting the inclusion of smaller parties to broaden the coalition and dilute tensions between the DA and ANC.
Former President Jacob Zuma: The uMkhonto weSizwe Party
Jacob Zuma, the former ANC leader and South African president, made a significant impact with his newly formed MK party, which won 14% of the vote, becoming the third-largest party. Zuma, 82, has demanded Ramaphosa’s resignation as a condition for a coalition, a stance rejected by the ANC.
Despite his criminal record barring him from Parliament, Zuma’s party now holds significant power in coalition talks. He faces a corruption trial next year, adding to the political drama.
Julius Malema: Economic Freedom Fighters Leader
Julius Malema’s EFF dropped to the fourth-largest party, overtaken by Zuma’s MK. At 43, Malema is the youngest major leader and a former ANC youth leader. Known for his fiery rhetoric and Marxist ideology, Malema’s EFF was considered a potential ANC coalition partner before being overshadowed by MK.