Early Thursday results from South Africa’s national election indicate the ruling African National Congress (ANC) secured 41.77% of the vote, suggesting it may lose its parliamentary majority.
With 8.5% of polling stations reporting, the pro-business Democratic Alliance (DA) received 27.52%, and the Marxist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) garnered 7.72%, according to data from the Independent Electoral Commission.
If these early trends hold, it will signal a significant shift in South African politics, ending the ANC’s 30-year solo rule and necessitating coalition governance. The ANC has consistently won national elections since the historic 1994 election, which marked the end of apartheid and Nelson Mandela’s presidency.
However, the ANC’s popularity has waned due to high unemployment, crime, power blackouts, and corruption. This election will determine the composition of provincial assemblies and a new national parliament, which will choose the next president.
Despite the ANC leading, President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to remain in office, barring any internal party leadership challenges.
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