Johannesburg, South Africa – South Africa appears on the verge of forming a new government after the ruling African National Congress (ANC) reached a tentative agreement with the main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) on cabinet positions. This marks a significant step towards resolving the political impasse following the ANC’s historic loss of its parliamentary majority in May’s election.
Local media outlets, the Sunday Times and City Press, reported on Sunday that a key sticking point – the trade and industry portfolio – has been resolved after the DA softened its stance. Senior DA politician Helen Zille expressed cautious optimism that a final deal could be reached by the end of the weekend, potentially paving the way for President Cyril Ramaphosa to announce his cabinet.
The negotiations stem from the ANC’s electoral setback, where they secured only 40% of the vote for the first time since the end of apartheid. Disillusioned by issues like unemployment, corruption, and poor service delivery, voters punished Nelson Mandela’s legacy party, forcing them to seek alliances to form a government.
Analysts warn that even with a cabinet deal, the ideological differences between the socialist-leaning ANC and the pro-business DA could create friction down the line. The DA has criticized the ANC’s affirmative action programs, arguing they’ve enriched a select few while failing to uplift the broader Black population. Additionally, the DA opposes the ANC’s plan to expropriate land without compensation for redistribution to Black farmers. The party also advocates for scrapping the national minimum wage, arguing it hinders job creation.
