South Africa’s President Calls for Unity as ANC Support Declines

• President Ramaphosa urged South Africa’s political parties to unite for the nation after the ANC lost its majority
• Frustrated voters reduced their support for the ANC to 40.2%, down from 57.5% in the 2019 parliamentary vote

President Cyril Ramaphosa urged South Africa’s political parties to unite for the nation’s good after the final election results showed that his African National Congress (ANC) lost its majority for the first time.

Announced on Sunday, the results marked the worst election outcome for the ANC, Africa’s oldest liberation movement, since it came to power 30 years ago, ending apartheid.

Frustrated by joblessness, inequality, and rolling blackouts, voters reduced their support for the ANC to 40.2%, down from 57.5% in the 2019 parliamentary vote.

The ANC won 159 seats in the 400-seat National Assembly, a significant drop from its previous 230 seats.

This result means the ANC must now share power, likely with a major political rival, to maintain control—an unprecedented scenario in South Africa’s post-apartheid history.

“South Africans expect the parties for which they have voted to find common ground, overcome their differences, and act together for the good of everyone. That’s what South Africans have said,” Ramaphosa stated after the electoral commission announced the final results.

He called the election a “victory for our democracy.”

Political parties have two weeks to negotiate a coalition before the new parliament meets to choose a president, who will likely still come from the ANC, as it remains the largest party.

“This is the time for all of us to put South Africa first,” Ramaphosa emphasized.

Earlier on Sunday, ANC officials admitted the party was humbled by the results and had “nothing to celebrate.” Still, they supported Ramaphosa, Mandela’s former chief negotiator in ending apartheid, and insisted he would not resign under pressure.

The poor election performance has sparked speculation about Ramaphosa’s future due to coalition demands or an internal leadership challenge.