Voting process - Following disappointing results in South Africa's election, the ANC stated there was "nothing to celebrate."
Following a significant setback in South Africa's parliamentary elections, the ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), has voiced its sentiments publicly for the first time. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula commented, "There's nothing to celebrate," during a media gathering. Based on the electoral commission's tally, the ANC secured approximately 40.2% of the votes, down by around 17 percentage points from the previous parliamentary elections held in 2019.
Mbalula remarked, "The results signal a clear message." He wanted to reassure South Africans that their voices, along with their concerns, frustrations, and discontent, have been acknowledged.
As the party with the most votes, according to the preliminary results, the ANC intends to establish a government that is both stable and effective, focused on delivering significant economic and social reforms. The Secretary-General announced that the party will engage in coalition talks with the partners capable of driving this agenda in the imminent future. Yet, he kept quiet regarding potential coalition partners.
The electoral commission is slated to announce the official outcome of the parliamentary polls tonight.
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The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a staunch critic of the ANC, saw an increase in its vote share, potentially positioning itself as a significant player in coalition discussions. The DA, the main opposition party, also experienced a considerable gain in the parliamentary election, further complicating the formation of a coalition government.
The EFF's leader, Julius Malema, expressed his satisfaction with the election debacle that seemingly weakened the ANC. He asserted, "It's a clear indication that the people of South Africa want change."
As the battle for power continues in Parliament, key figures like Nelson Mandela's former military wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), will observantly follow the political developments in Pretoria. The outcome of these elections and subsequent coalition negotiations could significantly reshape the South African government.
Tomorrow, South Africans will wait eagerly for the official announcement of the election results by the electoral commission, possibly marking a new chapter in South Africa's political landscape.
Fikile Mbalula's comments echoed those made two decades ago by Mandela, who once said, "I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it." As the ANC grapples with the loss of power, the party and its leader will need courage to navigate these challenging times and lead the nation forward.
