South Africa Unity Deal: IFP to Join ANC Coalition for Unity Government 

The Inkatha Freedom Party leader announced on Wednesday that the party will participate in a proposed government of national unity, a significant move towards breaking South Africa’s political impasse following the African National Congress’ loss of majority in last month’s elections.

Velenkosini Hlabisa made the announcement as it significantly increases the likelihood of a coalition government formation between the African National Congress (ANC) and other major parties, ahead of the Friday deadline, when the newly elected Parliament convenes for the first time since the May 29 elections to elect a president.

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The IFP leader, Hlabisa expressed his party’s willingness to participate in a unity government alongside the ANC and the Democratic Alliance, the prominent opposition party that garnered the second-largest share of votes in the recent poll.

Hlabisa stated that the IFP is willing to form a unity government “in the interests of national unity and stability.” The party’s political stronghold lies primarily within the Zulu community, a substantial ethnic group in South Africa.

The Democratic Alliance, a centrist party, has expressed its openness to participating in a unity government, but is still engaged in negotiations with the ANC to iron out the details, and has yet to make a formal decision on the matter.

The Economic Freedom Fighters, a far-left party, and the MK Party, led by former President Jacob Zuma, have declined to participate in the unity government agreement. Furthermore, the MK Party has taken legal action, filing court papers to delay the inaugural session of Parliament and contesting the election results, citing alleged irregularities.

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South Africa’s General Election Sees Early Turnout

After three decades of uninterrupted rule since the demise of apartheid in 1994, the African National Congress (ANC) found itself facing a new reality following the recent election, where it garnered only 40% of the vote. Although still the largest party, the ANC must now seek alliances with other parties to secure a governing majority and ensure the re-election of President Cyril Ramaphosa for a second and final term, marking a significant shift in South Africa’s political landscape.

The electoral system in South Africa is based on proportional representation, where political parties are allocated seats in Parliament based on the percentage of votes they receive. The elected members of Parliament then vote to elect the President of South Africa, the continent’s economic powerhouse.