The South African political landscape has seen significant upheaval following the 2024 elections, marking a shift towards coalition governance. With the African National Congress (ANC) failing to secure a majority of votes, a national coalition will now rule South Africa. This development echoes a movement seen in the 2021 local elections, where the need for coalitions to govern effectively is becoming increasingly evident.
The fall in support for the ANC to 40%, compared to 57.5% in 2019, underlines the current political reality in South Africa. To govern in the long term, the ANC will likely need to rely on at least one other major party in the National Assembly. Parties such as the Democratic Alliance and uMkhonto weSizwe could play a key role in these coalitions. However, mutual trust and transparency will be essential to ensure effective co-governance, given pre-election tensions.
Another important consideration is the 14-day deadline for the election of a new president by the National Assembly, making a flexible and rapid coalition negotiations process imperative. In the short term, it may be difficult to establish comprehensive agreements including key appointments and joint policy resolutions.
Nevertheless, it is essential that political parties recognize the growing public dissatisfaction with the democratic system in South Africa, as evidenced by the significant decline in voter turnout. New coalitions must therefore strive to restore voter confidence and ensure stable and effective governance.
To ensure political accountability and transparency, publishing formal coalition agreements should be a priority in the medium to long term. These agreements, whether comprehensive or limited to confidence-building commitments, will enable citizens to ensure that governments respect their commitments and will promote more stable and effective governance.
In conclusion, coalition governments offer a unique opportunity to strengthen democracy in South Africa. By establishing transparent and accountable agreements, political parties can move the country towards a more promising future, where trust and good governance are the watchwords.