In a landmark political shift, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was re-elected for a second term on Friday after the African National Congress (ANC) formed an unprecedented coalition government.
Following the May 29 general election that resulted in no outright winner, lawmakers in Cape Town voted overwhelmingly to reinstate the 71-year-old leader for another five years.
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo announced Ramaphosa’s victory, as he secured 283 votes in a secret ballot, fending off a challenge from Julius Malema of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who garnered 44 votes.
The election marked the end of three decades of ANC dominance, with the party obtaining only 40 percent of the vote and losing its absolute majority in parliament for the first time.
The ANC has now formed a government of national unity, encompassing a broad coalition of 18 parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).
ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula highlighted the significance of this coalition, which saw the election of Thoko Didiza of the ANC as speaker and Annelie Lotriet of the DA as deputy speaker.
Ramaphosa’s swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for next week in Pretoria, where he will also announce his new cabinet.
