JOHANNESBURG, June 2 – President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South African political parties to unite for the nation’s benefit following the African National Congress (ANC) losing its parliamentary majority for the first time in history. The final election results, disclosed on Sunday, revealed a significant setback for the ANC, Africa’s oldest liberation movement once spearheaded by Nelson Mandela.
In the most challenging election outcome since the end of white minority rule 30 years ago, the ANC’s support plummeted to 40.2%, a sharp decline from the 57.5% it secured in the 2019 parliamentary elections. Official results confirmed the ANC winning 159 seats in the 400-seat National Assembly, a steep drop from its previous 230 seats.
This unprecedented result means the ANC will have to share power, most likely with a major political rival, marking a new chapter in South Africa’s post-apartheid political landscape. “South Africans expect the parties for which they have voted to find common ground, overcome their differences, and act together for the good of everyone. That’s what South Africans have said,” Ramaphosa stated following the electoral commission’s announcement of the final results.
Ramaphosa hailed the election as a “victory for our democracy,” despite the ANC’s poor performance. He called for all political factions to prioritize the country’s interests. “This is the time for all of us to put South Africa first,” he urged.
The ANC has two weeks to negotiate a coalition deal before the new parliament convenes to elect a president, who is still likely to be from the ANC given its status as the largest party. Despite the disappointing outcome, ANC officials expressed their support for Ramaphosa, noting the party was “humbled by the result” and had “nothing to celebrate.” They confirmed they would not yield to demands for Ramaphosa’s resignation.
Speculation is mounting over Ramaphosa’s future, with concerns that a prospective coalition partner or an internal leadership challenge could pressure him to step down. Ramaphosa, previously Mandela’s chief negotiator to end apartheid, remains under scrutiny as the ANC navigates this turbulent period.
