Ramaphosa Forms New Coalition Government in South Africa Amid Deadlock se

Ramaphosa Forms New Coalition Government in South Africa Amid Deadlock (X@MYANC)

Dil Bar Irshad | July 1, 2024 | 10:51 PM IST | Politics, South Africa, World | Follow on Google News

Ramaphosa Forms New Coalition Government in South Africa Amid Deadlock

Ramaphosa Forms New Coalition Government in South Africa Amid Deadlock

Key Highlights:

1. Coalition Cabinet Formed: 32 ministerial positions announced after weeks of negotiation.
2. ANC Loses Majority: African National Congress holds 20 posts, six for the Democratic Alliance.
3. Political Shift: First coalition government since apartheid era, addressing voter frustrations.

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a new cabinet, naming 32 ministerial positions after weeks of political deadlock, Al Jazeera reported. The African National Congress (ANC) secured 20 of these positions, while the Democratic Alliance (DA) filled six, with the remaining posts allocated to smaller coalition parties.

This power-sharing arrangement follows the May 29 elections where the ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994. Historically dominant, the ANC’s support dwindled to 40%, a significant drop from previous victories exceeding 60%, reflecting voter discontent with poverty, inadequate services, and high inequality and unemployment rates. The DA emerged as the second-largest party, capturing 21% of the vote.

President Ramaphosa emphasized the new government’s focus on these pressing issues, stating, “We have shown that there are no problems too difficult or too intractable that they cannot be solved through dialogue.” DA leader John Steenhuisen, now Minister of Agriculture, expressed optimism about this new era in South African democracy, aiming to bring tangible change to millions of citizens.

The formation of this coalition required extensive negotiations and compromises. The ANC retained control over the crucial Ministry of Trade and Industry, a position also sought by the DA. Paul Mashatile of the ANC remains Deputy President.

The coalition’s success hinges on the parties’ ability to navigate ideological differences. The DA, traditionally opposed to some ANC policies, aims to eliminate certain black empowerment programs and resists the ANC’s plan to expropriate land without compensation. The ability of this diverse coalition to work together will be pivotal for South Africa’s political landscape.

Dil Bar Irshad

Dil Bar Irshad is a seasoned journalist, hails from Jammu Kashmir's Doda, covers political, social, business stories, index stories.