Early results from South Africa’s national election indicate a significant challenge to the African National Congress (ANC)’s long-held parliamentary majority, with the party securing only 42.3% of the vote so far. If this trend continues, the ANC may need to form coalitions with other parties to govern, potentially leading to political instability. While Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to remain president if the ANC remains the largest party, a poor showing could expose him to internal challenges within the party.
This shift in political dynamics reflects growing disillusionment among voters due to issues like unemployment, crime, power outages, and corruption. Former President Jacob Zuma’s new party, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), is also gaining traction, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, further impacting ANC’s support base. As the electoral commission works to finalize results, South Africa braces for potential negotiations to form a new government, ushering in a period of uncertainty and complexity in the country’s political landscape.