In the aftermath of a significant setback in the recent elections, South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) has initiated closed-door negotiations with rival political parties to explore the possibility of forming a coalition government. The Electoral Commission (IEC) confirmed that the elections were "free and fair," but no single party managed to secure an outright majority.

The final election results revealed a decline in support for the ANC, with just over 40 percent of the vote. This is a stark contrast to the party's longstanding dominance since the end of apartheid three decades ago. To elect a president, parties have a two-week deadline, and analysts predict that for the ANC to form a coalition government, they will have to concede to a range of demands put forth by other parties.

Exploring the idea of a "government of national unity," reminiscent of Nelson Mandela's era, the ANC held a meeting with national leaders over the weekend to discuss potential coalition scenarios. Public policy expert Kagiso "TK" Pooe emphasized the need for clear goals centered around economic recovery and employment, as well as addressing institutional corruption and inefficiency.

Alongside its national decline, the ANC also lost control in three provinces it previously governed: KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and the Northern Cape. The most significant blow was in KwaZulu-Natal, where former President Jacob Zuma's MK Party gained substantial support. The Democratic Alliance, the official opposition, experienced marginal growth in their support, while the left-wing Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) saw a dip in their voter base.

Former President Jacob Zuma's MK Party emerged as the biggest winner, securing third place and becoming the largest party in his home province. Against this backdrop, the ANC announced exploratory talks with other parties as they faced the consequences of their dwindling support.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula expressed the party's commitment to forming a government reflecting the people's will, one that is stable and effective. Mbalula urged calm and vowed responsible action in the face of prevailing uncertainty, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law and respecting codes governing elections.

The ANC is scheduled to hold top-level meetings this week to solidify their coalition plans. Speculation has arisen that the party may consider a coalition with the Democratic Alliance, their traditional opponent. Such a coalition, involving South Africa's largest and mainstream parties, could provide greater stability compared to coalitions with newer and more radical formations. Both the ANC and the Democratic Alliance share conservative economic ideologies, differing from the more left-leaning MK Party and EFF.

In response, the Democratic Alliance announced their readiness to engage in talks with the ANC, aiming to prevent what they described as a "doomsday coalition." The EFF, known for advocating land expropriation without compensation, expressed openness to working with the ANC. However, concerns have been raised among business leaders and investors regarding the ANC-EFF coalition due to the EFF's leftist positions.

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), the country's fifth-largest party, also signaled a willingness to engage in talks with the ANC. Meanwhile, the MK Party, although open to talks, rejected negotiating with President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Despite allegations of election rigging and threats of violence by the MK Party, President Ramaphosa urged all political parties to prioritize the constitution and the rule of law in his recent newsletter. He called for unity and cooperation among parties for the greater good of the South African people.

The election outcome not only exposed deep political divisions among South Africa's parties but also raises the possibility of internal reassessment within the ANC. Analysts, such as Pooe, predict that the ANC's next national executive committee meeting will be tense and serve as a critical examination of the election results, potentially shaping the future trajectory of the party.