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ANC's Three-Decade Dominance Ends as South Africa Embarks on a New Political Era

Saturday 01 June 2024 - 13:00

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In a watershed moment for South Africa's young democracy, the African National Congress (ANC) party, which played a pivotal role in ending apartheid and ushering in a new era of freedom, has lost its long-held parliamentary majority. This historic election result, with nearly 99% of votes counted, marks the end of the ANC's three-decade dominance and ushers in a new political landscape for the nation.

While the ANC remained the largest party, garnering just over 40% of the votes, it fell well short of the majority it had maintained since the famed all-race vote of 1994 that ended the oppressive apartheid system of white minority rule. The final results are yet to be formally declared by the independent electoral commission overseeing the election process.

Opposition parties have hailed this outcome as a momentous breakthrough for a country grappling with deep-rooted poverty, inequality, and economic challenges. However, the path forward promises to be intricate, as the ANC will now need to navigate the complexities of forming a coalition government to remain in power and secure a second term for President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, secured around 21% of the vote, while the newly formed MK Party, led by former President Jacob Zuma, who has turned against the ANC he once led, emerged as the third force with just over 14% of the vote in its inaugural election.

As the focus shifts to potential coalition partners, a flurry of negotiations is expected to ensue, further complicating the already intricate political landscape. The MK Party has already set forth a condition for any agreement, demanding Ramaphosa's removal as ANC leader and president, asserting, "We are willing to negotiate with the ANC, but not the ANC of Cyril Ramaphosa," according to MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlela.

With more than 50 parties contesting the national election and the ANC's majority slipping, it is likely that the ruling party will have to approach one of the three main opposition parties to form a coalition. While the MK Party and the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters have advocated for nationalizing segments of the economy, the centrist Democratic Alliance is viewed as a business-friendly party, and analysts suggest an ANC-DA coalition could be more favorably received by foreign investors.

Despite the uncertainty looming over the formation of the next government, opposition parties are celebrating this new political landscape as a much-needed change for the nation of 62 million people, which, despite being Africa's most developed economy, remains one of the most unequal societies in the world.

South Africa's widespread poverty, alarmingly high unemployment rate of 32%, and the disproportionate impact on the Black population, who constitute 80% of the ANC's core support base, have been at the forefront of public discontent. Additionally, the ANC has been criticized for its failure to provide basic government services, leaving millions without access to water, electricity, or adequate housing.

"We have said for the last 30 years that the way to rescue South Africa is to break the ANC's majority, and we have done that," declared Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen, echoing the sentiments of those who view this outcome as a long-awaited opportunity for change.

With nearly 28 million South Africans registered to vote and an expected turnout of around 60%, according to figures from the independent electoral commission, the nation stands at a pivotal juncture, poised to embark on a new political era that promises both challenges and opportunities for the future.