Cyril Ramaphosa is poised for re-election as South Africa’s president. This follows the announcement that the country’s second-largest party has agreed to support the African National Congress (ANC) leader after striking a coalition deal.

The ANC, which has governed since the end of apartheid in 1994, lost its outright majority in last month’s elections for the first time.

This outcome led to two weeks of intensive negotiations with other political parties to form a governing coalition.

As the newly elected parliament convened on Friday, June 14, John Steenhuisen, leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA), confirmed that his party had formally signed a governing agreement with the ANC. This is a key element in supporting Ramaphosa’s bid for the presidency.

“We will be supporting President Cyril Ramaphosa in his election for the president of the Republic of South Africa,” Steenhuisen declared during a break in the opening parliamentary session.

With a presidential election scheduled for later in the day, the ANC and DA’s combined majority in parliament is expected to secure Ramaphosa’s re-election.

In the recent elections, the ANC garnered 40% of the vote, followed by the DA with 21%.

Additionally, the coalition government will include two smaller parties, the socially conservative Inkatha Freedom Party and the right-wing Patriotic Alliance. These parties have also pledged their participation in the coalition government.

Moreover, Fikile Mbalula, Secretary-General of the ANC, announced that the majority of South Africa’s political parties have agreed to form a government of national unity.

Mbalula stated that the composition of this unity government would be clarified once Ramaphosa made an official announcement.

A New Era For South Africa’s Politics

A smooth path to a second term seems likely for Ramaphosa if no other candidates are nominated, in which case he would be automatically re-elected.

However, if other nominations arise, a vote will ensue. Sihle Zikalala, a member of the ANC’s governing body, emphasized the significance of this moment.

Zikalala stated on social media, “Today marks the beginning of a new era where we put our differences aside and unite for the betterment of all South Africans.”

Political analyst Ayesha Kajee noted that the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and other smaller parties might also be part of the government. She observed that the DA and ANC are “ideologically almost diametrically opposed.”

Nonetheless, Kajee highlighted the ANC’s strategy to form a government of national unity, similar to the one established in 1994.

This coalition approach involves integrating several smaller parties into the government, likely leading to negotiations over key positions, particularly within the cabinet and ministerial roles.

While the DA and EFF are expected to push for specific portfolios, it remains uncertain whether the ANC will be willing to cede these positions after holding power for so long.

Ramaphosa has announced the ANC’s intention to pursue a national unity government.

The ANC faces a looming deadline to finalize a coalition agreement, as parliament must convene and elect a president within 14 days of the election results being declared.

Friday’s parliamentary session is expected to be lengthy, starting with the election of a speaker and deputy speaker before the presidential vote.

The MK Party, led by former ANC leader and South African President Jacob Zuma, has declared its intention to boycott the first parliamentary session, with its 58 lawmakers absent.

Despite this, the voting procedure should proceed unaffected, as the constitution requires only one-third of the 400 lawmakers to be present for a quorum and voting to take place. The ANC alone holds more than one-third of the seats, ensuring the necessary quorum.