South Africa’s ANC Seeks Unity Government After Election Setback.
By Caroline Ameh
In the wake of a significant electoral setback, South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), is charting a course towards a government of national unity. Cyril Ramaphosa, leader of the ANC and the country’s president, made the announcement following the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at Birchwood Hotel in Borksburg, east of Johannesburg on June 6, 2024.
Ramaphosa addressed the press, acknowledging the ANC’s diminished majority after last week’s elections, marking the first time since the dismantling of apartheid three decades ago that the party failed to secure a majority. “We agreed to invite political parties to form a government of national unity as the best option to move our country forward,” Ramaphosa stated, indicating a willingness to collaborate with other parties in the interest of national cohesion.
The call for unity comes amidst a fractured political landscape, with ideological and political differences starkly apparent between the ANC and its rivals. The ANC secured 40% of the vote, while the centre-right Democratic Alliance (DA) garnered 22%, the MK party led by former President Jacob Zuma secured 15%, and the radical Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) captured 9%.
Ramaphosa’s proposal harks back to the spirit of South Africa’s first democratic government formed in 1994, under the leadership of Nelson Mandela, which saw the ANC cooperating with former adversaries from the National Party, the party that had implemented apartheid. The arrangement also included the Inkatha Freedom Party, known for its conservative stance and ethnic Zulu support base, despite historical conflicts with ANC activists.
Despite the daunting task of reconciling diverse ideologies, Ramaphosa expressed openness to collaboration, emphasizing that differences should not hinder cooperation in the pursuit of the public good. “Such differences would not preclude the possibility of working with any party so long as it is in the public interest,” Ramaphosa affirmed, stressing the importance of upholding constitutional principles and the rule of law.
The ANC has initiated discussions with various parties, including the DA, the EFF, and smaller factions, aiming to build consensus and address the nation’s pressing issues. However, challenges remain, notably with Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party refusing to accept the election outcome under Ramaphosa’s leadership. Despite initial reluctance, MK party representatives have engaged in talks with the ANC, signaling a tentative willingness to participate in further negotiations.
To facilitate the process, the ANC has established a five-member task team tasked with engaging all parties committed to advancing the interests of the South African populace. As the deadline for forming a government looms, all eyes are on the ANC-led efforts to forge a path towards national unity and stability.
