After 30 years of dominance, the ANC faces its toughest election yet as it loses majority, gets down to 40% with 99% of votes counted. Watch to know more.

South Africa Elections 2024: Historic slump for South Africa's ruling party, ANC loses majority

Watch top headlines of the hour: - South Africa: ANC short, focus on alliances - Parties strategise ahead of vote counting - Mexico set to elect first female President - 12 killed in Israeli strike in Syria - Will Israel accept Gaza peace deal? - Heatwave in North India, rains in Northeast

Heatwave in North India, rains in Northeast | 12 killed in Israeli strike in Syria

Watch top headlines of the hour: - South Africa: ANC short, focus on alliances - Parties strategise ahead of vote counting - Mexico set to elect first female President - Will Israel accept Gaza peace deal? - California wildfire spreads rapidly

California wildfire spreads rapidly | Will Israel accept Gaza peace deal

After 30 years of dominance, the ANC faces its toughest election yet as i loses majority, gets down to 40% with 99% of votes counted. Watch to know more.

South Africa: Nelson's Mandela's party sees thirty-year dominance shattered

The African National Congress (ANC) party lost its majority in the South African Parliament for the first time since Nelson Mandela led it to victory in the first democratic elections in 1994 at the end of the apartheid system.

South Africa Elections 2024: ANC loses majority in Parliament

South Africa: Election results: Historic slump for the ruling party

South Africa Elections Results 2024: Historic slump for South Africa's ANC

South Africa elections: Cyril Ramaphosa's Presidency facing existential threat?

South Africa Elections: Parliament to elect new President in two weeks after results

As an influential regional power, Africa’s largest economy, and a nation with an activist foreign policy, South Africa commands global attention. It will assume the G20 presidency later this year, hosting the summit in 2025. This explains why the recent elections for the provincial legislatures and the National Assembly which will elect a new president, drew notice around the world. &nbsp;

<h2>Backdrop &nbsp;</h2>

On 29 May, South Africa went to the polls amidst widespread discontent against the African National Congress (ANC), the ruling party at the national level and in all provinces except one since 1994 when a new democratic and post-apartheid nation emerged. Opinion polls and political pundits predicted that the party would receive a serious setback, losing a clear majority (of over 50pc) in the National Assembly, for the first time. This is exactly what has happened as nearly all votes were counted by 1 June. The formal declaration of the results by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) takes place shortly. &nbsp;

Optimists in the ANC including Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, hoped that their passionate appeal for another opportunity could be heeded by the people, still enamoured of the party’s stellar role in creating a ‘rainbow nation’ under the legendary leadership of Nelson Mandela. But 30 years down the line, the people, suffering from a diversity of economic hardships, unemployment, poverty, inequality, corruption, and crime, concluded that it was now time for a change. The ANC’s “entitlement of being the sole dominant party” was over, stressed a political leader. &nbsp;

What do the results of the elections, where the voter turnout was 59 per cent&nbsp;portend for the nation and beyond?&nbsp;

<h2>The results &nbsp;</h2>

The ANC won a clear majority in all previous elections for the National Assembly. It secured 62 per cent&nbsp;of the total votes cast in 1994 when Mandela was elected as the president. In 2009, the party landed at the highest level &nbsp;– &nbsp;77 per cent of the votes cast, which saw Jacob Zuma succeed Thabo Mbeki as the president. In the last elections held in 2019, the Ramaphosa-led party came down to 66 per cent. Now, in 2024, the ANC has hit its lowest level of national votes – 40.10 per cent. &nbsp;

The next four parties in terms of political strength now are the Democratic Alliance (DA) at 21.51 per cent; &nbsp;uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) at 14.38 per cent; Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) at 9.51 per cent; and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) at 3.8 per cent. The DA, traditionally seen as the party of whites, has doubled its base among blacks and has the backing of whites, Indians and coloureds. The MKP is, in effect, led by former President Jacob Zuma whose rebellion against the ANC leadership became a major factor in the ANC’s humiliating performance. The EFF is led by Julius Malema, the 43-year-old dynamic leader whose expulsion from the ANC in 2012 put him on an independent path advocating a leftist ideology and greater state control over the economy. &nbsp;

Of the nine provinces of South Africa, the ANC has won comfortable majorities in five and is close to 50pc in the province of Northern Cape. One province – Western Cape – will stay under the control of the DA. &nbsp;In two other provinces, the ANC faces serious hazards. In KwaZulu-Natal, Zuma’s MKP has emerged as the largest party with 45pc and could form a non-ANC coalition government. In Gauteng, EFF has done well enough to claim a share of power by attempting a coalition with the ANC which secured only 34.7 per cent. &nbsp;

<h2>National Assembly, four scenarios &nbsp;</h2>

South African domain experts consulted by this author have pointed to considerable uncertainty about the composition of the next national government. Informal discussions within the ANC and between it and the other political parties have already begun. The coming days will bring clarity as to which of the likely four scenarios, delineated below, may win substantive political consensus. &nbsp;

One, the ANC and the DA may consider forming a coalition government. Their combined strength will be a guarantee for stability. But in a country where racial divide remains a potent factor, the notion of ANC collaborating with ‘the party of whites’ may largely be unpalatable. The DA, however, seems willing to work with the ANC for it has everything to gain by sharing power. However, it will insist on various conditions and consulting the pre-election alliance of its partners, as indicated by the party leadership. &nbsp;

Two, the ANC and the EFF, together with a couple of smaller parties, could be partners in a coalition government. Malema has already indicated his interest in sharing power and becoming the next finance minister. An analyst argued that Malema “could potentially become a kingmaker or even deputy president.” But his leftist leanings will be a negative factor.&nbsp;

Three, ANC factions opposed to President Ramaphosa may be inclined to accept the support of Zuma’s MKP, but this is certain to be opposed strongly by the Ramaphosa camp. Some experts have been citing the possibility of the elevation of Deputy President Paul Mashatile as president, since he may be more acceptable to Zuma. &nbsp;

Four, there exists the possibility of ‘a minority government’ formed by the ANC, with the outside support of DA and one or two other parties. This will require a formal pact that prescribes a set of agreed policies and distribution of prestigious positions like the speaker of the National Assembly and committee chairs to the DA and other parties. &nbsp;

<h2>Conclusion&nbsp;</h2>

The National Assembly is due to meet within 14 days after the declaration of the result. &nbsp;

In respect of the above-mentioned scenarios, the central actor will still be the ANC. Its leaders will need to stay united and choose a partner or partners through consensus. ANC Chair Gwede Mantashe said, “We can talk to anybody and everybody.” &nbsp;

Further, President Ramaphosa continues to be a pivotal actor in the tense political drama unfolding now. He has the public persona as Mandela’s mentee and enjoys personal popularity among a large section of South Africans as well as international visibility, even though they have expressed an obvious lack of confidence in his stewardship. The question is whether his personal traits and political acumen will help him overcome the party’s unpopularity, thus enabling him to remain at the helm. On the answer to this question will depend the range of changes that the next government may introduce in the nation’s social, economic and foreign policies. So, the big question is whether Ramaphosa will stay or call it a day.&nbsp;

IEC Chair Mosotho Moepya wisely advised the nation, “This is a moment to manage and manage well.” &nbsp;

At a press briefing earlier today, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula stated that the party has heard the people’s message. It is committed to the formation of a government “that reflects the will of the people, that is stable, and that is able to govern effectively.” But he also conveyed ANC’s rejection of the demand by other parties for President Ramaphosa to step down as a condition for forming a coalition, terming it as “a no-go area.”&nbsp;

In sum, after the elections, political stakes have become higher, and the task of government formation has become more complex than South Africa experienced ever before. The suspense continues. &nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

&nbsp;

As an influential regional power, Africa’s largest economy, and a nation with an activist foreign policy, South Africa commands global attention. It will assume the G20 presidency later this year, hosting the summit in 2025.

As an influential regional power, Africa’s largest economy, and a nation with an activist foreign policy, South Africa commands global attention. It will assume the G20 presidency later this year, hosting the summit in 2025. This explains why the recent elections for the provincial legislatures and the National Assembly which will elect a new president, drew notice around the world. Backdrop On 29 May, South Africa went to the polls amidst widespread discontent against the African National Congress (ANC), the ruling party at the national level and in all provinces except one since 1994 when a new democratic and post-apartheid nation emerged. Opinion polls and political pundits predicted that the party would receive a serious setback, losing a clear majority (of over 50pc) in the National Assembly, for the first time. This is exactly what has happened as nearly all votes were counted by 1 June. The formal declaration of the results by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) takes place shortly. Optimists in the ANC including Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, hoped that their passionate appeal for another opportunity could be heeded by the people, still enamoured of the party’s stellar role in creating a ‘rainbow nation’ under the legendary leadership of Nelson Mandela. But 30 years down the line, the people, suffering from a diversity of economic hardships, unemployment, poverty, inequality, corruption, and crime, concluded that it was now time for a change. The ANC’s “entitlement of being the sole dominant party” was over, stressed a political leader. What do the results of the elections, where the voter turnout was 59 per cent portend for the nation and beyond? The results The ANC won a clear majority in all previous elections for the National Assembly. It secured 62 per cent of the total votes cast in 1994 when Mandela was elected as the president. In 2009, the party landed at the highest level – 77 per cent of the votes cast, which saw Jacob Zuma succeed Thabo Mbeki as the president. In the last elections held in 2019, the Ramaphosa-led party came down to 66 per cent. Now, in 2024, the ANC has hit its lowest level of national votes – 40.10 per cent. The next four parties in terms of political strength now are the Democratic Alliance (DA) at 21.51 per cent; uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) at 14.38 per cent; Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) at 9.51 per cent; and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) at 3.8 per cent. The DA, traditionally seen as the party of whites, has doubled its base among blacks and has the backing of whites, Indians and coloureds. The MKP is, in effect, led by former President Jacob Zuma whose rebellion against the ANC leadership became a major factor in the ANC’s humiliating performance. The EFF is led by Julius Malema, the 43-year-old dynamic leader whose expulsion from the ANC in 2012 put him on an independent path advocating a leftist ideology and greater state control over the economy. Of the nine provinces of South Africa, the ANC has won comfortable majorities in five and is close to 50pc in the province of Northern Cape. One province – Western Cape – will stay under the control of the DA. In two other provinces, the ANC faces serious hazards. In KwaZulu-Natal, Zuma’s MKP has emerged as the largest party with 45pc and could form a non-ANC coalition government. In Gauteng, EFF has done well enough to claim a share of power by attempting a coalition with the ANC which secured only 34.7 per cent. National Assembly, four scenarios South African domain experts consulted by this author have pointed to considerable uncertainty about the composition of the next national government. Informal discussions within the ANC and between it and the other political parties have already begun. The coming days will bring clarity as to which of the likely four scenarios, delineated below, may win substantive political consensus. One, the ANC and the DA may consider forming a coalition government. Their combined strength will be a guarantee for stability. But in a country where racial divide remains a potent factor, the notion of ANC collaborating with ‘the party of whites’ may largely be unpalatable. The DA, however, seems willing to work with the ANC for it has everything to gain by sharing power. However, it will insist on various conditions and consulting the pre-election alliance of its partners, as indicated by the party leadership. Two, the ANC and the EFF, together with a couple of smaller parties, could be partners in a coalition government. Malema has already indicated his interest in sharing power and becoming the next finance minister. An analyst argued that Malema “could potentially become a kingmaker or even deputy president.” But his leftist leanings will be a negative factor. Three, ANC factions opposed to President Ramaphosa may be inclined to accept the support of Zuma’s MKP, but this is certain to be opposed strongly by the Ramaphosa camp. Some experts have been citing the possibility of the elevation of Deputy President Paul Mashatile as president, since he may be more acceptable to Zuma. Four, there exists the possibility of ‘a minority government’ formed by the ANC, with the outside support of DA and one or two other parties. This will require a formal pact that prescribes a set of agreed policies and distribution of prestigious positions like the speaker of the National Assembly and committee chairs to the DA and other parties. Conclusion The National Assembly is due to meet within 14 days after the declaration of the result. In respect of the above-mentioned scenarios, the central actor will still be the ANC. Its leaders will need to stay united and choose a partner or partners through consensus. ANC Chair Gwede Mantashe said, “We can talk to anybody and everybody.” Further, President Ramaphosa continues to be a pivotal actor in the tense political drama unfolding now. He has the public persona as Mandela’s mentee and enjoys personal popularity among a large section of South Africans as well as international visibility, even though they have expressed an obvious lack of confidence in his stewardship. The question is whether his personal traits and political acumen will help him overcome the party’s unpopularity, thus enabling him to remain at the helm. On the answer to this question will depend the range of changes that the next government may introduce in the nation’s social, economic and foreign policies. So, the big question is whether Ramaphosa will stay or call it a day. IEC Chair Mosotho Moepya wisely advised the nation, “This is a moment to manage and manage well.” At a press briefing earlier today, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula stated that the party has heard the people’s message. It is committed to the formation of a government “that reflects the will of the people, that is stable, and that is able to govern effectively.” But he also conveyed ANC’s rejection of the demand by other parties for President Ramaphosa to step down as a condition for forming a coalition, terming it as “a no-go area.” In sum, after the elections, political stakes have become higher, and the task of government formation has become more complex than South Africa experienced ever before. The suspense continues. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

South Africa after elections: Four scenarios

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China lunar probe lands on far side | Will act against Taiwan independence: China

South Africa Elections: ANC loses majority, expected to form coalition government

South Africa Elections: African National Party loses majority, ANC down to 40%

South Africa’s election authority said that it will announce the final results of the recently concluded elections on Sunday (Jun 2) afternoon, despite threats from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africa-former-president-jacob-zuma-barred-from-running-in-may-election-705357">former President Jacob Zuma</a> and his party uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) who said it would “be provoking us” after he complained about unspecified “serious” issues.&nbsp;

<h2>‘Credible, free and fair elections’</h2>

South Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has ensured that it will announce the final results of the elections on June 2 despite threats by Zuma, at a press briefing late Saturday (Jun 1).&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Parliament to elect new President in two weeks after results

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-africa-elections-parliament-to-elect-new-president-in-two-weeks-after-results-727952/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

IEC CEO Mosotho Moepya said that the election authority will work through the night to resolve the 579 objections that have been received in order to proceed with the declaration of the final result.&nbsp;

Moepya also expressed confidence in the transparency of the systems put in place by the IEC to ensure “credible, free and fair elections”.&nbsp;

<h2>‘Don’t start trouble when there is no trouble’</h2>

Speaking at a press conference, late Saturday, Zuma insisted that the official result not be announced on Sunday after his party and at least 20 others lodged objections with the IEC over what they claimed was vote rigging.&nbsp;

The former president’s party, in addition to an inquiry into the elections, has also called for a recount and threatened to take legal action against IEC. However, he provided no evidence to back these claims.&nbsp;

“We are going to need the time. Nobody must declare (the final election result) tomorrow. If that happens, people will be provoked, we know what we are talking about,” said Zuma adding,&nbsp;“Nobody is going to die if the results are not announced tomorrow.”

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africa-election-poised-to-end-three-decades-of-anc-dominance-727729">South Africa election poised to end three decades of ANC dominance</a>

“Don’t start trouble when there is no trouble,” said the former president. He also said that the complaints need to be looked into by the IEC as “those being in charge cannot investigate themselves”.&nbsp;

Zuma’s brief imprisonment in 2021 led to riots which claimed more than 350 lives, in the country’s worst violence since the advent of democracy. The former president was found guilty of contempt of court by the country’s highest court at the time. &nbsp;

“We want a total revote,” MK spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said at the results centre, minutes before an electoral commission news conference was due to start, according to Reuters.&nbsp;

Ndhlela claimed MK had evidence that the election commission’s system was rigged, but did not produce any.&nbsp;

The IEC CEO said that although all complaints had to be received by the commission within 48 hours of the election ending at 9:00 pm (local time) on Wednesday (May 29), they had allowed an extension till 6:00 pm on Saturday (Jun 1).

<h2>ANC to lose majority</h2>

With 99.87 per cent of votes counted, the IEC said that the ruling African National Congress (ANC) has garnered a little over 40 per cent support followed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) with 21.80 per cent, and MK which managed to grab 14.58 per cent of the votes. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-defence-chief-warns-military-ready-to-forcefully-stop-taiwan-independence-727965">Chinese defence chief warns military ready to 'forcefully' stop Taiwan independence</a>

Partial results indicate that the ruling party, which has been in power since 1994 after the end of apartheid in South Africa, will lose its parliamentary majority for the first time in three decades.&nbsp;

Therefore, the ruling party is now&nbsp;faced with a challenge of forming&nbsp;a new government in alliance with other political parties.&nbsp;

The IEC is expected to announce the final results at an event where President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to participate in the ceremony on Sunday afternoon.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

South Africa’s election authority said that it will announce the final results of the recently concluded elections on Sunday (Jun 2) afternoon, despite threats from former President Jacob Zuma and his party uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) who said it would “be provoking us” after he complained about unspecified “serious” issues.

South Africa’s election authority said that it will announce the final results of the recently concluded elections on Sunday (Jun 2) afternoon, despite threats from former President Jacob Zuma and his party uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) who said it would “be provoking us” after he complained about unspecified “serious” issues. ‘Credible, free and fair elections’ South Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has ensured that it will announce the final results of the elections on June 2 despite threats by Zuma, at a press briefing late Saturday (Jun 1). WATCH | Parliament to elect new President in two weeks after results IEC CEO Mosotho Moepya said that the election authority will work through the night to resolve the 579 objections that have been received in order to proceed with the declaration of the final result. Moepya also expressed confidence in the transparency of the systems put in place by the IEC to ensure “credible, free and fair elections”. ‘Don’t start trouble when there is no trouble’ Speaking at a press conference, late Saturday, Zuma insisted that the official result not be announced on Sunday after his party and at least 20 others lodged objections with the IEC over what they claimed was vote rigging. The former president’s party, in addition to an inquiry into the elections, has also called for a recount and threatened to take legal action against IEC. However, he provided no evidence to back these claims. “We are going to need the time. Nobody must declare (the final election result) tomorrow. If that happens, people will be provoked, we know what we are talking about,” said Zuma adding, “Nobody is going to die if the results are not announced tomorrow.” Also Read | South Africa election poised to end three decades of ANC dominance “Don’t start trouble when there is no trouble,” said the former president. He also said that the complaints need to be looked into by the IEC as “those being in charge cannot investigate themselves”. Zuma’s brief imprisonment in 2021 led to riots which claimed more than 350 lives, in the country’s worst violence since the advent of democracy. The former president was found guilty of contempt of court by the country’s highest court at the time. “We want a total revote,” MK spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said at the results centre, minutes before an electoral commission news conference was due to start, according to Reuters. Ndhlela claimed MK had evidence that the election commission’s system was rigged, but did not produce any. The IEC CEO said that although all complaints had to be received by the commission within 48 hours of the election ending at 9:00 pm (local time) on Wednesday (May 29), they had allowed an extension till 6:00 pm on Saturday (Jun 1). ANC to lose majority With 99.87 per cent of votes counted, the IEC said that the ruling African National Congress (ANC) has garnered a little over 40 per cent support followed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) with 21.80 per cent, and MK which managed to grab 14.58 per cent of the votes. Also Read | Chinese defence chief warns military ready to 'forcefully' stop Taiwan independence Partial results indicate that the ruling party, which has been in power since 1994 after the end of apartheid in South Africa, will lose its parliamentary majority for the first time in three decades. Therefore, the ruling party is now faced with a challenge of forming a new government in alliance with other political parties. The IEC is expected to announce the final results at an event where President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to participate in the ceremony on Sunday afternoon. (With inputs from agencies)

South Africa’s election authority to announce final result despite threats by former president Zuma

South Africa Elections: 'Historic' change of government in S Africa, ANC party loses majority

Watch top headlines of the hour: - Parties strategise ahead of counting day - South Africa in for coalition politics - Stock Markets welcome exit poll numbers - North Korea sends 600 trash balloons to South - Zelensky drums up support for peace summit - US building Asia-Pacific NATO: China

Zelensky drums up support for peace summit | N Korea trash balloons

Watch top headlines of the hour: - Parties strategise ahead of counting day - South Africa in for coalition politics - Stock Markets welcome exit poll numbers - North Korea sends 600 trash balloons to South - Will act against Taiwan independence: China - US building Asia-Pacific NATO: China

Will act against Taiwan independence: China | South Africa results today, ANC weak

After 30 years of dominance, the ANC faces its toughest election yet, needing 50 percent to maintain its majority. Watch to know more.

South Africa elections 2024: Historic slump for South Africa's ruling party ANC

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South Africa: ANC vote share dips | India Elections: 57 seats vote in Phase 7

South Africa elections 2024: Jacob Zuma's MK party makes historic debut

South Africans went to the polls for highly anticipated national elections. Counting is underway with results expected by Sunday, June 2. Watch in for more details!

South Africa Election: Vote count underway

South Africa's ruling ANC was on track Friday to score its worst electoral result ever, with the latest tallies showing voters deserted the party in droves and ended its 30-year political dominance.

The African National Congress (ANC) is now all but certain to fall below 50 percent of the vote, forcing the party to seek a coalition partner to have enough backing to name a president and form a government.

This marks an historic evolution in the country's democratic journey, as the party has enjoyed an absolute parliamentary majority since 1994, when its then leader Nelson Mandela led the nation out of white minority rule and into democracy.

With more than two thirds of the votes cast in Wednesday's general election counted, the ANC remained in the lead but with a score below 42 percent, compared to the 57 percent it won in 2019 and far off the 62 percent secured by Mandela in 1994.

As votes continued to be validated, data from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) showed the centre-right Democratic Alliance (DA) held second place with 22.64 percent.

But it was not a surge by the DA that cut into the ANC's vote share.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/early-results-indicate-anc-losing-majority-in-south-africas-election-727076">South Africa: Early results indicate ANC losing majority in election</a>

In third place was former president Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) on 12 percent, a surprise score for a party founded barely six months ago as a vehicle for the former ANC chief. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The final results are expected at the weekend, but with the trends clear and the votes stacking up on the IEC website, politicians and pundits were turning their attention to the prospects of an ANC-led coalition.

<h2>Right or left?&nbsp;</h2>

The ANC has dominated South Africa's democracy with an unbroken run of five presidents from the party, but if the latest, President Cyril Ramaphosa, is to remain at the helm he will have to decide whether to seek allies on his right or his left.

There will be resistance within his movement to a tie-up with the second-placed DA, under white politician John Steenhuisen, whose pro-free market programme of privatisation and an end to black economic empowerment programmes is at odds with the ruling party's traditions. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

But there will also be reluctance to invite Zuma, who left government facing a raft of corruption allegations, or firebrand Julius Malema's radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) into government after both fought bitter campaigns against their former party. &nbsp;

<h2>'Unpredictable partners'&nbsp;</h2>

The ANC retains the loyalty of many voters for its leading role in overthrowing white minority rule and its progressive social welfare and black economic empowerment policies are credited by supporters with helping millions of black families out of poverty.

But over, three decades of almost unchallenged rule, its leadership has been implicated in a series of large-scale corruption scandals, while the continent's most industrialised economy has languished and crime and unemployment figures have hit record highs.

Some experts expect the party to patch up ties with one or both of the radical left groups, especially as the Zuma's MK has stormed to victory in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal.

Watch:&nbsp;South Africa Elections 2024: Early results show ANC losing majority

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-africa-elections-2024-early-results-show-anc-losing-majority-727391/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"The MK has really eaten into the ANC's vote," Siphamandla Zondi, a politics professor from the University of Johannesburg, told AFP.

Others, like analyst and author Susan Booysen, said the rift between Ramaphosa and Zuma -- who has long been bitter about the way he was forced out of office in 2018 -- was "too far reaching" to mend.

The ANC might instead prefer the centre-right DA, which pledged to "rescue South Africa" through better governance, free market reforms and privatisations, to the leftist EFF, which is perceived as "too erratic" and "unpredictable" in its demands, she added.

But another outside observer, political analyst and business leader Sandile Swana, argued that Ramaphosa's authority had take such a beating in the election that he would not be able to push reluctant party bigwigs to accept a DA alliance. "His power is gone within the ANC," he said.

South Africa's ruling ANC was on track Friday to score its worst electoral result ever, with the latest tallies showing voters deserted the party in droves and ended its 30-year political dominance.

South Africa's ruling ANC was on track Friday to score its worst electoral result ever, with the latest tallies showing voters deserted the party in droves and ended its 30-year political dominance. The African National Congress (ANC) is now all but certain to fall below 50 percent of the vote, forcing the party to seek a coalition partner to have enough backing to name a president and form a government. This marks an historic evolution in the country's democratic journey, as the party has enjoyed an absolute parliamentary majority since 1994, when its then leader Nelson Mandela led the nation out of white minority rule and into democracy. With more than two thirds of the votes cast in Wednesday's general election counted, the ANC remained in the lead but with a score below 42 percent, compared to the 57 percent it won in 2019 and far off the 62 percent secured by Mandela in 1994. As votes continued to be validated, data from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) showed the centre-right Democratic Alliance (DA) held second place with 22.64 percent. But it was not a surge by the DA that cut into the ANC's vote share. Also Read: South Africa: Early results indicate ANC losing majority in election In third place was former president Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) on 12 percent, a surprise score for a party founded barely six months ago as a vehicle for the former ANC chief. The final results are expected at the weekend, but with the trends clear and the votes stacking up on the IEC website, politicians and pundits were turning their attention to the prospects of an ANC-led coalition. Right or left? The ANC has dominated South Africa's democracy with an unbroken run of five presidents from the party, but if the latest, President Cyril Ramaphosa, is to remain at the helm he will have to decide whether to seek allies on his right or his left. There will be resistance within his movement to a tie-up with the second-placed DA, under white politician John Steenhuisen, whose pro-free market programme of privatisation and an end to black economic empowerment programmes is at odds with the ruling party's traditions. But there will also be reluctance to invite Zuma, who left government facing a raft of corruption allegations, or firebrand Julius Malema's radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) into government after both fought bitter campaigns against their former party. 'Unpredictable partners' The ANC retains the loyalty of many voters for its leading role in overthrowing white minority rule and its progressive social welfare and black economic empowerment policies are credited by supporters with helping millions of black families out of poverty. But over, three decades of almost unchallenged rule, its leadership has been implicated in a series of large-scale corruption scandals, while the continent's most industrialised economy has languished and crime and unemployment figures have hit record highs. Some experts expect the party to patch up ties with one or both of the radical left groups, especially as the Zuma's MK has stormed to victory in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal. Watch: South Africa Elections 2024: Early results show ANC losing majority "The MK has really eaten into the ANC's vote," Siphamandla Zondi, a politics professor from the University of Johannesburg, told AFP. Others, like analyst and author Susan Booysen, said the rift between Ramaphosa and Zuma -- who has long been bitter about the way he was forced out of office in 2018 -- was "too far reaching" to mend. The ANC might instead prefer the centre-right DA, which pledged to "rescue South Africa" through better governance, free market reforms and privatisations, to the leftist EFF, which is perceived as "too erratic" and "unpredictable" in its demands, she added. But another outside observer, political analyst and business leader Sandile Swana, argued that Ramaphosa's authority had take such a beating in the election that he would not be able to push reluctant party bigwigs to accept a DA alliance. "His power is gone within the ANC," he said.

South Africa set for political shake-up as ANC loses majority

After 30 years of dominance, the ANC faces its toughest election yet, needing 50 percent to maintain its majority. As the counting is underway, early trends show ANC losing majority. Th results are expected on June 2. Watch to know more.

South Africa Elections 2024: Ruling ANC on shaky ground as early results pour in

Today, South Africans head to the polls. After 30 years of dominance, the ANC faces its toughest election yet, needing 50 percent to maintain its majority.

South Africa Elections 2024: Will this be an end of ANC's 30 year rule

Millions of South Africans headed to the polls on Wednesday (May 29) in the most competitive election since the end of apartheid where the country’s ruling African National Congress (ANC), according to opinion polls, could lose its parliamentary majority after 30 years.&nbsp;

<h2>Millions expected to head to polls</h2>

Voters queued up in South Africa’s main cities of Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban as polling began at 7:00 am (local time) with long lines amid cold weather also seen in the outskirts of cities and in rural areas.

WATCH |&nbsp;Are South Africans voting for a change?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-africa-elections-are-south-africans-voting-for-a-change-726775/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

A report by Reuters citing voters at polling stations across the countries said that they were voting for the opposition party amid high rates of unemployment and crime, frequent blackouts, and corruption in ANC ranks.&nbsp;

The voters headed to the polls to choose provincial assemblies in each of the country’s nine provinces as well as the new parliament which will then choose South Africa’s next president.&nbsp;

More than 27 million South Africans are registered to vote at over 23,000 polling stations across the country where the voting will continue till 9:00 pm (local time).&nbsp;

“If early indications are anything to go by, we may match or just surpass the 66% voter turnout (seen in the last election in 2019),” said Masego Sheburi, a senior official at the electoral commission, at a briefing hours after the voting began, as quoted by Reuters.&nbsp;

<h2>Most competitive elections in decades</h2>

Ahead of the elections, analysts citing recent opinion polls said that the ruling ANC faces its most difficult challenge yet with many frustrated by the country’s direction.&nbsp;

They also indicated the party could lose its majority for the first time since anti-apartheid activist and former President Nelson Mandela led it to power in 1994.

One voter in KwaMashu, a township close to Durban, told Reuters how he has voted for the ANC for years now.&nbsp;

“But this year, I have changed because of the problems with the ruling party, and so I have become a member of the MK party,” business owner Skhumbuzo Mnyandu, 48, told Reuters referring to the opposition uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), a new party backed by former President Jacob Zuma.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africans-vote-with-anc-rule-in-balance-726629">South Africans vote with ANC rule in balance</a>

If ANC fails to garner 50 per cent of the votes, it will not only lose its majority but also be forced to make a deal with one or more smaller parties to govern. It is worth noting that South Africa has been governed by a single party for years now.&nbsp;

However, ANC leader and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa remained confident. After casting his ballot at a polling station in Soweto, the incumbent president told reporters that he had “no doubt whatsoever” that voters would trust the ruling party again.&nbsp;

“I have no doubt whatsoever in my heart of hearts that the people will invest their confidence in the African National Congress,” said Ramaphosa.&nbsp;

John Steenhuisen, leader of the pro-business Democratic Alliance (DA) party which won the most votes, after ANC, in the last election urged voters to turn out in large numbers.&nbsp;

“This is the most consequential election since 1994,” said Steenhuisen after casting his ballot in Durban.&nbsp;

South Africa’s election commission is expected to start releasing partial results hours after the polling ends. However, the final results are expected to be released within three or four days.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Millions of South Africans headed to the polls on Wednesday (May 29) in the most competitive election since the end of apartheid where the country’s ruling African National Congress (ANC), according to opinion polls, could lose its parliamentary majority after 30 years.

Millions of South Africans headed to the polls on Wednesday (May 29) in the most competitive election since the end of apartheid where the country’s ruling African National Congress (ANC), according to opinion polls, could lose its parliamentary majority after 30 years. Millions expected to head to polls Voters queued up in South Africa’s main cities of Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban as polling began at 7:00 am (local time) with long lines amid cold weather also seen in the outskirts of cities and in rural areas. WATCH | Are South Africans voting for a change? A report by Reuters citing voters at polling stations across the countries said that they were voting for the opposition party amid high rates of unemployment and crime, frequent blackouts, and corruption in ANC ranks. The voters headed to the polls to choose provincial assemblies in each of the country’s nine provinces as well as the new parliament which will then choose South Africa’s next president. More than 27 million South Africans are registered to vote at over 23,000 polling stations across the country where the voting will continue till 9:00 pm (local time). “If early indications are anything to go by, we may match or just surpass the 66% voter turnout (seen in the last election in 2019),” said Masego Sheburi, a senior official at the electoral commission, at a briefing hours after the voting began, as quoted by Reuters. Most competitive elections in decades Ahead of the elections, analysts citing recent opinion polls said that the ruling ANC faces its most difficult challenge yet with many frustrated by the country’s direction. They also indicated the party could lose its majority for the first time since anti-apartheid activist and former President Nelson Mandela led it to power in 1994. One voter in KwaMashu, a township close to Durban, told Reuters how he has voted for the ANC for years now. “But this year, I have changed because of the problems with the ruling party, and so I have become a member of the MK party,” business owner Skhumbuzo Mnyandu, 48, told Reuters referring to the opposition uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), a new party backed by former President Jacob Zuma. Also Read | South Africans vote with ANC rule in balance If ANC fails to garner 50 per cent of the votes, it will not only lose its majority but also be forced to make a deal with one or more smaller parties to govern. It is worth noting that South Africa has been governed by a single party for years now. However, ANC leader and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa remained confident. After casting his ballot at a polling station in Soweto, the incumbent president told reporters that he had “no doubt whatsoever” that voters would trust the ruling party again. “I have no doubt whatsoever in my heart of hearts that the people will invest their confidence in the African National Congress,” said Ramaphosa. John Steenhuisen, leader of the pro-business Democratic Alliance (DA) party which won the most votes, after ANC, in the last election urged voters to turn out in large numbers. “This is the most consequential election since 1994,” said Steenhuisen after casting his ballot in Durban. South Africa’s election commission is expected to start releasing partial results hours after the polling ends. However, the final results are expected to be released within three or four days. (With inputs from agencies)

South Africa Elections 2024: Voting underway in most competitive election challenging ANC’s decades-long power

South Africa Elections: Will this be the ANC's 30 year rule?

South Africa Elections: ANC faces its toughest electoral battle

South Africa Elections 2024: 28 million registered voters to case their vote

On May 29, South Africans head to the polls. After 30 years of dominance, the ANC faces its toughest election yet, needing 50 percent to maintain its majority.

South Africa Elections 2024: African National Congress put to test

With less than a week left for the elections in South Africa and the runup to these crucial polls, experts and voters weigh in on the political future of the ruling African National Congress.

South Africa Elections in the next three days

Who will be South Africa's next President? ANC to face its toughest election yet

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