In response to its failure to secure an outright majority in last week’s general election, South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) announced on Wednesday that it has initiated discussions with rival parties to form a government of national unity.
The ANC secured only 159 seats in the 400-seat National Assembly, marking its lowest performance in a general election.
ANC spokeswoman Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri revealed that the party has engaged in “explorative” talks with several parties, including the Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and the Inkatha Freedom Party, to garner sufficient parliamentary support.
Notably, the EFF, which advocates for land redistribution and nationalization, and the Patriotic Alliance have shown interest in joining a coalition.
However, former President Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, which received 14.6 percent of the vote and has rejected the election results, has rebuffed the ANC’s outreach, especially if President Cyril Ramaphosa remains in leadership.
The ANC’s decision-making body is set to meet Thursday to evaluate all options, including the possibility of forming a minority government.
This briefing followed a meeting of the ANC’s top leaders to strategize after their electoral decline from 57.5 percent in 2019 to 40 percent this year.
The new parliament is scheduled to convene in less than two weeks to elect a president and form a new government.
