Oppositions break ANC’s 30-year majority in South African parliament

The African National Congress (ANC), which has held a majority in South Africa’s parliament for 30 years, has lost its outright majority, according to official results announced on Sunday. The ANC secured only 159 seats out of 400 in the National Assembly, amounting to 40% of the vote. The centre-right Democratic Alliance (DA) followed with 87 seats, representing 22% of the vote. In a surprising third place was the newly-formed uMkonto weSizwe party, led by former President Jacob Zuma, which captured 14.59% of the votes and 58 seats.

President Cyril Ramaphosa and leaders from most rival parties attended the announcement of the results, except for Zuma, who denounced the election as rigged and refused to participate. The MK spokesman stated that Zuma’s attendance would have been “tantamount to endorsing an illegal declaration.”

Ramaphosa acknowledged the election outcome and stressed the importance of respecting the decision of the electorate. He said, “Our people have spoken, whether we like it or not, they have spoken. As the leaders of political parties, as all those who occupy positions of responsibility in society, we have heard the voices of our people and we must respect their wishes.”

The DA leader, John Steenhuisen, expressed his willingness to negotiate a coalition government with the ANC and other parties to prevent Zuma from potentially returning to power. He stated, “We must protect South Africa from a return by Zuma to government.”

The election results mark a significant shift in South Africa’s political landscape, setting the stage for coalition governance for the first time since the end of apartheid. Opposition parties have called for change in the country, which is Africa’s most developed yet one of the most unequal. The election saw a turnout of around 60% with nearly 28 million South Africans registered to vote.

The outcome of the election signifies a new era in South African politics, with the ANC losing its long-held majority and the potential for a coalition government to shape the country’s future.