Cyril Ramaphosa has been re-elected South Africa’s president following an ANC-led coalition agreement with opposition parties in parliament.
This coalition marks a significant shift after the ANC lost its majority control in last month’s elections, securing only 159 out of 400 seats in the national assembly, according to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
The DA garnered 87 seats, while the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, backed by former President Jacob Zuma, obtained 58 seats.
Lawmakers in Cape Town voted overwhelmingly to put Ramaphosa, 71, back in office for another five years after the May 29 general election that produced no outright winner.
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Ramaphosa, addressing the need for unity after the election results, stated that citizens expect leaders to collaborate to address national needs.
After two weeks of intensive negotiations with opposition parties, the decision to re-elect Ramaphosa was finalised on Friday.
Ramaphosa was re-elected by fellow MPs with 283 votes in a secret ballot.
He saw off a last-minute challenge by Julius Malema, the firebrand leader of the radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), whose candidacy gained 44 votes.
Ramaphosa will be sworn in next week in Pretoria and then unveil his new cabinet.
In his victory speech, President Ramaphosa celebrated the coalition’s formation and urged members to prioritise the interests of South Africans.
“I am humbled and honoured that you, as members of the National Assembly, have… decided to elect me to be the President of the Republic of South Africa,” Ramaphosa said in his acceptance speech.
Last month’s election marked a historic turning point for South Africa, ending three decades of dominance by the African National Congress of the late Nelson Mandela.
DA leader John Steenhuisen expressed optimism about the future, emphasising their commitment to serving the country and building a better future together.
“I think we get an opportunity today to write a new chapter for South Africa and that chapter I think we can make the best chapter ever. No party has got a majority. We are required to work together, and we are going to do it,” Steenhuisen added.
Ramaphosa is expected to include members from other parties in his cabinet, reflecting the collaborative nature of the new coalition government.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s BRICS ally China welcomed Ramaphosa’s re-election on Saturday, with President Xi Jinping sending him a congratulatory note, according to state media.
Earlier, Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, had opened the parliament’s first sitting, swearing in MPs in batches ahead of votes on the election of a speaker and deputy speaker.
