South Africa is poised to form a unity government involving the African National Congress (ANC) and the pro-business Democratic Alliance (DA) after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since the end of apartheid. This move comes in response to the ANC’s worst electoral performance, with President Cyril Ramaphosa advocating for a broad coalition to address pressing national issues, including economic stagnation, high unemployment, and political corruption.

The negotiations have been complex, as the DA has expressed reluctance to join a government that includes more radical parties like the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) or Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK). The DA’s participation is seen as favorable by financial markets but controversial among many ANC supporters who view the DA as representing South Africa’s wealthy white minority.

Ramaphosa emphasized the need for swift action to ensure national unity and tackle the country’s economic and social challenges. The new parliament must convene and elect a president by mid-June, putting additional pressure on all parties to finalize the coalition arrangements quickly.