South Africa’s Ramaphosa looks to be re-elected after ANC reaches deal

The deal between two sharply antagonistic parties marks the start of a new era in South African politics, which has been utterly dominated by the ANC since it swept to power.

The African National Congress and its largest rival, the pro-business Democratic Alliance, have agreed to work together in a government of national unity, senior DA negotiator Helen Zille told Reuters on Friday.

The deal between two sharply antagonistic parties marks the start of a new era in South African politics, which has been utterly dominated by the ANC since it swept to power in the 1994 elections that marked the end of apartheid.

“Today, South Africa is a better country than it was yesterday. For the first time since 1994, we’ve embarked on a peaceful and democratic transfer of power to a new government that will be different from the previous one,” DA leader John Steenhuisen said in a televised address.

“From today, the DA will co-govern the Republic of South Africa in a spirit of unity and collaboration,” he said, adding that multi-party government was the “new normal.”

The ANC lost its majority for the first time in a May 29 vote and has spent two weeks locked in intensive behind-the-scenes talks with other parties, which came down to the wire on Friday morning as the new parliament was convening.

Two smaller parties, the socially conservative Inkatha Freedom Party and the right-wing Patriotic Alliance, will also take part in the unity government, they said.

“Today marks the beginning of a new era where we put our differences aside and unite for the betterment of all South Africans,” said Sihle Zikalala, a member of the ANC’s governing body, in a post on X.

Meeting in a Cape Town convention center because its permanent home was damaged by fire in 2022, the newly elected National Assembly began proceedings with the swearing-in of lawmakers. The chamber was then due to elect its speaker and deputy speaker, and the country’s president.