In a stunning turn of events, South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) party has suffered a significant blow, losing its three-decade electoral majority in a devastating manner. The ANC's vote share plummeted from 57.5% in 2019 to 40.2% in the recent elections, reflecting a discontent among voters due to chronic unemployment, inadequate public services, and high rates of violent crime.

The party's decline was further underscored by its loss of control over three out of South Africa's nine provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal, where the new party uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), led by former president Jacob Zuma, made a surprise impact with 14.6% of the national vote.

South Africa's President, Cyril Ramaphosa, responded to the election results with a conciliatory tone, acknowledging that the "people have spoken" and emphasizing the necessity for political parties to work together and find common ground.

These electoral setbacks have put the ANC on the path towards forming a coalition government, a prospect that has been looming for years. Support for the ANC has steadily declined since 2009, despite its historic role in ending apartheid and bringing about liberation and freedom.

Analysts point to a range of factors contributing to the ANC's decline, including complacency and a perception of taking voters for granted. The party's reputation has been marred by corruption scandals, exemplified by the infamous "state capture" allegations during Zuma's presidency, which involved the alleged manipulation of state institutions for personal gain.

Interestingly, voters did not uniformly punish corruption, as evidenced by the support garnered by Zuma's MK party. This suggests that some voters perceived life to be better during Zuma's tenure, despite the underlying corruption that had seeped into state institutions during his leadership.

The ANC now faces crucial decisions on coalition-building. While some party members support aligning with the MK and the Marxist-Leninist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the ANC and these potential partners have fundamental disagreements on topics ranging from central bank nationalization to land redistribution.

The choice of coalition partners is paramount for the ANC, as it aims to regain the support of the 2 million voters lost to the MK and the decreased overall voter turnout of 58.6%. Options under consideration include partnering with the white-led Democratic Alliance and the Zulu nationalist Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), favored by the more pro-business faction within the ANC.

However, the ANC also faces the challenge of reforming itself amid calls for change. Corruption within the party runs deep, posing a significant hurdle to rebuilding public trust. The loss of power in the elections has shifted the party's focus on reforming and addressing concerns voiced by disillusioned voters.

As South Africa's ANC grapples with the aftermath of its electoral loss, the formation of a coalition government serves as a crucial first step. Beyond that, confronting deeper questions of reform will be necessary for the party's future.

Sources:
- The Guardian