The African National Congress (ANC) loses its majority in South Africa’s elections for the first time in 30 years.
As final results from the recent election confirmed the ANC’s defeat, President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on political parties to collaborate for the nation’s benefit. The ANC secured only 40.2% of the votes, attributed to public discontent over issues like unemployment and power outages.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) garnered 21.6% while uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), led by former president Jacob Zuma, obtained 14.7%, chipping away at the ANC’s support. With 159 seats in the 400-seat National Assembly, the ANC faces the challenge of forming a new government.
Ramaphosa emphasized the need for parties to work together, stating that the election was a victory for democracy and urged prioritizing the country’s well-being. Speculations about Ramaphosa’s future arise, but ANC officials expressed support for him as the leadership navigates the path forward and seek stability in governance.