SOUTH AFRICA – President of the African National Congress (ANC) Cyril Ramaphosa has been retained as President of the country thanks to the Democratic Alliance (DA).
Ramaphosa defeated Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema by 283 votes out of 327 during the first sitting of the seventh Parliament held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Cape Town on Friday, 14 June 2024. The proceedings, which started at 10 am on Friday and continued until midnight, were chaired by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.
Ramaphosa will lead what has been dubbed a Government of National Unity (GNU) after the ANC failed to secure a majority to form a government on their own following the national and provincial elections held on May 29. The ANC received 40.18% of the vote, while the DA, MK party, and EFF received 21.81%, 14.58%, and 9.52% respectively. The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) received 3.85% and the Patriotic Alliance (PA) received 2.06%.
Ramaphosa’s victory follows an agreement with the DA, IFP, and PA to form a GNU government. The agreement included the DA supporting Ramaphosa as President and Thoko Didiza as Speaker of Parliament. In return, the ANC agreed to support a DA nomination for Deputy Speaker. Consequently, Didiza became the Speaker, defeating the EFF’s Veronica Mente by 284 votes out of 333. The DA’s Annelie Lotriet became the Deputy Speaker, defeating Vuyo Zungula of the African Transformation Movement (ATM) by 273 votes out of 327.
The ATM and United Democratic Movement (UDM) supported Julius Malema in the race for the presidency, but their support was insufficient as the EFF had already distanced itself from the GNU.
Ramaphosa reiterated his call for GNU, saying he intends to work with all parties. “Even those who didn’t vote for me, or who did not find their way clear to vote for me, this is their democratic right. We are all South Africans and I will serve all and work with those who did not support me tonight,” he said. “The results of the elections have made it plain that the people of South Africa expect their leaders to work together to meet their needs,” he added. “They expect the parties which they voted for to find common ground, to overcome their differences, to act, and to work together for the good of everyone in our country.”
Ramaphosa is now expected to appoint his deputy and department ministers after his inauguration, scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 19 at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
