In a historic election result that marks a new political direction for South Africa, the African National Congress (ANC) party has lost its parliamentary majority, putting an end to its long-standing dominance since the end of apartheid 30 years ago. With more than 99 percent of votes counted on Saturday, the ANC garnered just under 40 percent of the vote, falling short of the majority it had maintained since the all-race vote of 1994 that brought Nelson Mandela to power.

The Democratic Alliance (DA), the main opposition party, secured 21.63 percent of the vote, while uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), a new party led by former president Jacob Zuma, managed to capture 14.71 percent of the votes, diverting support away from the ANC. Opposition parties characterized the result as a significant breakthrough for a country plagued by poverty and inequality. However, it is important to note that the ANC remains the largest party.

"The way to rescue South Africa is to break the ANC's majority, and we have done that," declared the leader of the opposition, John Steenhuisen. The official declaration of final results is still pending from the independent Electoral Commission, but it is clear that the ANC will not reach the 50 percent threshold required for a majority.

Al Jazeera's Mike Hanna, reporting from the Results Operation Centre in Midrand, South Africa, highlighted that the ANC will now need to seek a coalition in order to form a government. Alternatively, the ANC may attempt to establish a minority government, which would significantly impede the passage of legislation and the advancement of ANC policies.

Gwede Mantashe, the ANC chair and current mines and energy minister, evaded questions about potential coalition partners, stating, "We can talk to everybody and anybody." The allocation of seats in South Africa's National Assembly, based on political parties' shares of the vote, determines the election of the nation's president.

Although President Cyril Ramaphosa could technically retain his position as the ANC received approximately double the votes of the next party, his influence is expected to be weakened. Calls for his resignation may arise from both opposition parties and within the divided ANC. However, a top ANC official expressed support for Ramaphosa to continue as party leader, given the absence of an apparent successor.

A possible agreement to keep the ANC in power could involve opposition parties providing support in exchange for cabinet positions or increased control in parliament, potentially even the speaker's position. The final results of the election are slated to be announced by the election commission on Sunday.