South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was re-elected to a second term after the African National Congress (ANC) created an unusual coalition government.
This re-election is a momentous milestone, bringing an end to the ANC’s three decades of control since the anti-apartheid era. In a final vote on Friday in Cape Town, parliamentarians overwhelmingly backed Ramaphosa, 71, to lead the country for another five years.
“I am humbled and honored that you, as members of the National Assembly, have decided to elect me as President of the Republic of South Africa,” Ramaphosa said during his acceptance speech.
The general election on May 29 produced no clear winner, with the ANC receiving only 40% of the vote and losing its absolute majority for the first time.
This resulted in the formation of a government of national unity through a coalition agreement between many parties, including the center-right Democratic Alliance (DA), the Zulu nationalist Inkatha Freedom Party, and several minor groupings.
“This is a historic juncture in the life of our country, which requires that we must work and act together,” said Ramaphosa. ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula stated that the coalition includes the majority of the 18 parties represented in the 400-seat National Assembly.
Ramaphosa was re-elected in a secret ballot with 283 votes, beating a last-minute challenge from Julius Malema, leader of the radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who earned 44 votes. The re-elected president is due to be sworn in next week in Pretoria and will introduce his new cabinet.
Ramaphosa’s re-election was warmly hailed by South Africa’s BRICS allies, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also congratulated them, emphasizing the importance of working together to achieve peace.
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo swore in MPs during parliament’s first session, with the ANC’s Thoko Didiza elected as speaker and the DA’s Annelie Lotriet as deputy speaker, demonstrating the coalition’s functionality.
Despite this, the EFF and former President Jacob Zuma’s new party, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), have expressed dissatisfaction. MK boycotted the sitting, arguing that the assembly’s proceedings were illegitimate.
