By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Arising from a landmark coalition deal between the governing African National Congress (ANC) and opposition parties, the Parliament in South Africa has re-elected Cyril Ramaphosa as the country’s President.
The new government of national unity (GNU) is made up of President Ramaphosa’s ANC, the centre-right Democratic Alliance (DA) and other smaller parties.
Heritage Times HT reports that this became necessary after ANC for the first time in 34 years lost its majority in the parliament, leaving it with the coalition option in order to retain power.
In his victory speech in early hours of Saturday, Ramaphosa hailed the new coalition, and said voters expected the leaders “to act and to work together for the good of everyone in our country”.
The coalition deal was struck on a day of high political drama, which saw the National Assembly sitting late into the night for votes to decide who would hold power in the new administration.
Earlier, a deal was struck following weeks of speculation about whom the ANC would partner with in order to have major control in the government.
After the election last month, ANC that had been in power since 1994 got 40% of the vote, while the DA came second with 22%. It needs at least 50% to form government.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula called the coalition deal a “remarkable step”.
It meant Mr Ramaphosa, who succeeds Jacob Zuma as both President and ANC leader following a bitter power struggle in 2018 was able to retain power.
Ramaphosa in coming days is expected to allocate cabinet positions, which will include members of the DA and other smaller political parties.
ANC that had always polled 50% in elections had its support plummet because of anger over high levels of corruption, unemployment and crime.
Addressing South Africa’s parliament after his election, Ramaphosa called back to his party’s first presidential victory 30 years ago.
“We have been here before, we were here in 1994, when we sought to unite our country and to effect reconciliation – and we are here now,” he said.
The National Assembly also swore in a speaker from the ANC, while the post of deputy speaker went to the DA.
