South Africa is on the brink of potentially forming a national coalition government for the first time, as early election results indicate that the ruling African National Congress (ANC) is falling short of a majority. With over half of the votes counted across the country's nine provinces, the ANC has garnered just under 42% of the national vote, a significant decrease from the 57.5% it received in the previous national election in 2019.
The final results from Wednesday's election are yet to be officially declared, with the election commission stating that they are expected to be announced by Sunday, if not sooner. The current count from more than 12,000 of the 23,000 polling stations suggests that the ANC may need a coalition partner to form a government and secure President Cyril Ramaphosa's re-election for a second term.
Despite still leading the count and holding the most votes, the ANC's potential fall below the 50% mark signifies a significant shift in South Africa's political landscape. The ANC has enjoyed a clear majority throughout the 30 years of South Africa's democracy, following its historic victory in the 1994 election that marked the end of apartheid.
However, the party's support has been steadily declining due to deep socioeconomic challenges, including widespread poverty and soaring unemployment rates. The ANC has also faced criticism for failures in delivering basic government services, corruption scandals, and an ongoing electricity crisis that has led to nationwide blackouts.
As the election results point towards a potential coalition government, various political parties in South Africa are now faced with the reality of working together to address the country's pressing issues. Analysts suggest that the coalition negotiations will hinge on the extent to which the ANC falls short of a majority in the final results.
If the ANC remains just shy of a majority, it could seek alliances with smaller parties to secure the necessary support. However, if the gap is substantial, the ANC may have to collaborate with one of the main opposition parties, such as the Democratic Alliance or the Economic Freedom Fighters, both of which have differing ideologies.
With the political landscape in South Africa potentially shifting towards a coalition government, the outcome of the election is poised to shape the country's future trajectory as it navigates through a pivotal moment in its democratic history.
