Ramaphosa Forms New Coalition Government in South Africa Amid Deadlock se

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.

About the Author

Dil Bar Irshad

Owner/Editor_In_Chief

Dil Bar Irshad is an Indian journalist, writer, and media entrepreneur from the Marmat area of Doda in Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known as the founder and Editor-in-Chief of VoM News ("Voice of Masses"), a digital news portal dedicated to highlighting public grievances and citizen issues.Career Overview• Early Career (2015–2016): He began his reporting career focusing on local public issues and citizen grievances in Jammu and Kashmir. • Regional & National Journalism: Over the years, he served as a District Correspondent for the English newspaper Khalsa Express News (2019–2020) and worked as an Urdu correspondent for Sada e Kohistan. He also reported as a J&K Correspondent for the Millennium Post. • International Reporting: In 2023, he expanded into international journalism, working as an India Correspondent for global agencies like BNN Breaking and later TrimFeed, covering diverse topics ranging from stock market updates to regional and global geopolitical developments. • Media Associations: He is an active member of the All India Media Association.Seen IN: Editor-in-Chief, VoM News India, Jammu and Kashmīr Business and Finance, Crime and Justice, Environment As seen in: VoM News, MSN, MSN India, MSN Singapore, MSN UK, Youth Ki Awaaz, Millennium Post, AgroPages, The California Courier, Hecho En California, Justice News, The Chenab Times, Niguro, Sisnoo