insert_link Africa South Africa’s coalition government – making the case for hope By Brian Levy, Johns Hopkins University In the aftermath of South Africa’s recent election, renewed hope has made an unexpected appearance. In difficult times, even small gains can be valuable. But, on occasion, much more is possible. Small gains can feed on each other; momentum can build; a virtuous spiral can take hold. This may be such a moment. It’s not ordinarily a […] todayJune 26, 2024 14
insert_link South Africa South Africa’s foreign policy: a unity government must be practical in a turbulent world By Anthoni van Nieuwkerk, University of South Africa As South Africa navigates fundamental political change, it faces stark choices on foreign policy posture and priorities. The change has been brought about by the African National Congress’s loss of electoral majority, forcing it into a unity government. Based on my work over many years on South Africa’s foreign policy as well as reflections on the […] todayJune 21, 2024 10
insert_link South Africa ANC Announces Coalition Government with Five Parties On Monday, the African National Congress announced that South Africa's new government currently includes five parties, collectively holding more than two-thirds of the seats in the National Assembly. The ANC, which failed to secure a parliamentary majority in last month's election for the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994, is continuing discussions with additional parties to further strengthen its coalition. todayJune 18, 2024 30
insert_link South Africa South African parliament meets as ANC nears coalition deal By Julie BOURDIN, with Zama LUTHULI in Johannesburg South Africa's newly elected parliament met Friday and was expected to re-elect President Cyril Ramaphosa to form an unprecedented coalition government as his humbled ANC raced to cobble together a deal. Chief Justice Raymond Zondo opened the first sitting of South Africa's seventh parliament since the advent of post-apartheid democracy in 1994, swearing in MPs in batches […] todayJune 14, 2024 32
insert_link Uncategorized Cyril Ramaphosa’s leadership style didn’t impress voters – but seeking consensus may be what South Africa’s unity government needs By Keith Gottschalk, University of the Western Cape South Africa’s 2024 general election, with its devastating loss of a majority for the ruling African National Congress (ANC), is also damaging for President Cyril Ramaphosa (71). To lead your party to such a huge loss of electoral support is an indictment, and the toughest test of your leadership capabilities. The ANC’s poor performance – […] todayJune 12, 2024 51
insert_link South Africa ANC Considers National Unity Government as Coalition Talks Intensify The African National Congress announced its inclination towards forming a government of national unity in South Africa. However, the second-largest party expressed its unwillingness to join a government that includes some of its smaller rivals, according to Reuters. The ANC, which has governed since Nelson Mandela's historic 1994 election victory, lost its parliamentary majority in last week's election for the first time in the democratic era. todayJune 6, 2024 14
insert_link South Africa ANC Considers Confidence-and-Supply Agreement Amid Coalition Talks The African National Congress faces a pivotal moment as its national executive committee convenes today to explore potential coalitions following a disappointing election outcome, securing only 40.2% of the national votes. Senior ANC leaders are reportedly leaning towards a confidence-and-supply agreement, favoring a scenario where the ANC forms a minority government. Under this arrangement, opposition partners would align with the ANC on critical decisions such as confidence motions and budgets, […] todayJune 4, 2024 46
insert_link South Africa Uncertain times for South Africa’s foreign policy as country heads for coalition government By Bhaso Ndzendze, University of Johannesburg After South Africa’s 29 May election, the African National Congress has lost the electoral majority it held for 30 years, but remains the party with the highest number of seats in parliament. This makes it a key partner in the formation of a coalition government. For 30 years the ANC had a comfortable majority which allowed it to […] todayJune 3, 2024 20
insert_link South Africa South Africa elections: Zuma’s MK Party steals the ANC’s thunder with provocative rhetoric and few clear policies By Mashupye Herbert Maserumule, Tshwane University of Technology Former South African president Jacob Zuma surprised many by leading a new party to rival the ruling African National Congress (ANC), a party he used to lead, in the pivotal 29 May 2024 general election. The upstart uMkhonto we Sizwe Party (MK Party) caused a major upset for the ruling ANC, especially in Zuma’s heartland, KwaZulu-Natal province, […] todayJune 3, 2024 34