The African National Congress (ANC) announced on Monday that South Africa’s new unity government now comprises five political parties. This coalition, formed after the ANC failed to secure a parliamentary majority in last month’s election, represents more than two-thirds of the seats in the National Assembly. The ANC stated that discussions with additional parties are still ongoing, hinting at potential further expansions of the coalition.
The ANC, which has dominated South African politics since the end of apartheid in 1994, faced a significant challenge in the recent elections. For the first time, the party did not win a majority, necessitating the formation of alliances to govern effectively. Despite this setback, ANC leader Cyril Ramaphosa was re-elected as President by the parliament on Friday, thanks to the support of multiple parties.
The coalition includes the ANC’s largest rival, the white-led, pro-business Democratic Alliance (DA), which holds 87 seats. The socially conservative Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the right-wing Patriotic Alliance (PA) have also joined the unity government, with 17 and 9 seats, respectively. The ANC’s statement on Monday confirmed that GOOD, a smaller party with a single seat, has also joined the coalition.
This coalition’s 273 seats in the 400-seat National Assembly give it a commanding 68% majority. The ANC emphasized that this unity government aims to ensure broad representation and make decisions through consensus.
The unity government’s priorities include driving rapid, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth. It also aims to promote fixed capital investment, job creation, land reform, and infrastructure development. These goals reflect the coalition’s commitment to addressing South Africa’s economic challenges and promoting social equity.
The formation of this broad coalition marks a new era in South African politics, highlighting the necessity of collaboration and consensus in a landscape where no single party holds absolute power. As the government begins its term, all eyes will be on how this diverse coalition manages to navigate the complexities of governance and deliver on its ambitious agenda.
