South Africa’s new coalition government, bringing together the ANC and the DA, has sparked renewed racial tensions in a nation grappling with its apartheid legacy. The alliance between President Cyril Ramaphosa’s ANC and the predominantly white-led Democratic Alliance has unsettled many Black South Africans, who view the DA’s resurgence in government as a reminder of past oppressions under white minority rule. The DA, originally rooted in opposition to apartheid, now faces scrutiny after one of its lawmakers was suspended for racist remarks, reinforcing perceptions of racial insensitivity within the party.
Critics argue that the coalition risks consolidating white economic influence, exacerbating socioeconomic disparities that continue to afflict the predominantly Black population. Amidst these challenges, political figures like Julius Malema of the EFF reject the coalition, accusing the DA of prioritizing white interests over broader societal welfare. The coalition’s success hinges on navigating these complex racial dynamics while addressing the deep-seated inequalities that persist in post-apartheid South Africa.