African National Congress (ANC), South Africa’s governing party, lost its 30-year majority Sunday (June 2) as it managed to win only 159 out of 400 seats in the National Assembly. It is for the first time that the ANC has lost the majority in the house since Nelson Mandela led the former liberation movement to power in 1994. The party’s vote share was registered around 40 per cent, the largest.
Coalition talks going on
The party, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is now talking to other parties to form a coalition and find a way forward.
Party’s Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said the party was open to talks with even the main rival Democratic Alliance, which severely criticised the government over the last few years. The DA has received a 21 per cent vote share and 87 seats, meaning the two parties can easily reach the majority mark if they join hands.
Moreover, the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters got 39 seats and the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, led by former President Jacob Zuma, emerged victorious on 58 seats.
Following the announcement of the result, Ramaphosa said they must accept and honour the people’s choice. “Our people have spoken, whether we like it or not…and we must respect their choices and their wishes,” said the president.
Ramaphosa’s leadership ‘not in question’
Despite the electoral setback, Mbalula on Sunday assured the party’s supporters that Ramaphosa’s position as the leader of the party was not in question.
He also made clear that his party won’t hold any negotiation with the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, as its leader Zuma has demanded Ramaphosa’s resignation as a condition for a coalition.
“No political party will dictate terms to us, the ANC. They will not … You come to us with that demand, forget (it),” Mbalula was quoted as saying by news agency AP.
South Africa, which is slated to assume the presidency of the Group of 20 rich and developing countries later this year, is a prominent voice on the international scene representing both Africa and the developing world.
(With inputs from agencies)