Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the town of Burj Qalawieh, south Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7
Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: The missile force carried out a major operation using the Palestine 2 ballistic hypersonic missile, hitting several targets in occupied Yafa.
Sirens sound in large areas of occupied Palestine after a missile launch from Yemen was detected
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 14 martyrs arrive at al-Shifa Hospital following Israeli massacre of al-Sultan Family north of Gaza.

Ramaphosa re-elected as South Africa's president after coalition deal

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies + News websites
  • 15 Jun 2024 09:25
  • 2 Shares
4 Min Read

The Democratic Alliance supported Ramaphosa's presidency as part of an agreement with the African National Congress to form a unity government.

Listen
  • x
  • Ramaphosa
    South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reacts after his being reelected as leader of the country in Cape Town, South Africa, Friday, June 14, 2024. (AP)

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has been reelected for a second term by lawmakers, following a historic coalition agreement between his African National Congress (ANC) of the late Nelson Mandela and the Democratic Alliance (DA), setting aside their long-standing rivalry.

Ramaphosa secured the late Friday vote with 283 votes, defeating Julius Malema, leader of the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who received 44 votes.

Earlier, the DA, which pushes a liberal, free-market agenda, announced it would support Ramaphosa as part of an agreement with the ANC, the party that led the anti-apartheid struggle, to form a unity government. Critics argue that the DA prioritizes South Africa’s white minority, an accusation the party denies.

The move reflected Ramaphosa's centrist approach, which prevailed over more left-wing factions within the ANC advocating alliances with parties favoring nationalization and land seizures from white farmers. 

The ANC, for the first time since 1994, lost its parliamentary majority in the May 29 elections, with its vote share plummeting from 57.5% in 2019 to 40.2% due to defections amid chronic unemployment and declining public services.

The DA, which garnered nearly 22% of the vote, agreed to back Ramaphosa’s reelection, while its MPs will support an ANC candidate for parliament speaker in exchange for the deputy speaker position, DA leader John Steenhuisen announced.

"Through their votes, the people have made it clear that they do not want any one party to dominate our society," he said at a press briefing after legislators were sworn in at a Cape Town convention center.

"The people have also told us that the time for finger-pointing is over and that the time for a new politics of collaboration and problem-solving has arrived," Steenhuisen indicated.

Related News

Ramaphosa announces new South African gov. with long-term rivals

Zuma's rising MK Party to join South African opposition

An ANC-DA coalition is favored by large businesses and international investors, with Ramaphosa, 71, expected to continue promoting policies, such as allowing the private sector to generate renewable energy.

Negotiations on policies and cabinet positions will continue, Steenhuisen confirmed, noting that the constitutional two-week period after election results for electing a president is insufficient for finalizing a full coalition agreement.

A "statement of intent" signed by the ANC and DA commits to a "merit-based, nonpartisan and professional civil service." The DA has long criticized the ANC's practice of appointing supporters to public sector positions, which it claims fosters corruption.

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said on Friday the coalition brings together a majority of the 18 parties that won representation in the 400-seat National Assembly.

These include the Zulu nationalist Inkatha Freedom Party, the Patriotic Alliance (PA), and other smaller groups.

The ANC's vote share plummeted significantly due to the emergence of the new uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, named after the ANC’s armed wing during apartheid. Launched by former President Jacob Zuma, the MK party unexpectedly secured 14.6% of the vote, coming in third place just six months after its formation.

The MK party boycotted the parliament’s opening after its legal challenge to the election results was dismissed by the top court. It has refused to collaborate with the ANC under Ramaphosa’s leadership, insisting potential coalition partners must respect the constitution.

Meanwhile, the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), whose MPs were sworn in wearing their signature red overalls, declined Ramaphosa’s invitation to join a Government of National Unity (GNU). EFF leader Julius Malema, who founded the Marxist party in 2013 after being expelled from the ANC, rejected any alliance with the "neo-colonial" DA, labeling it "our enemy".

"This is not a government of national unity, this is a grand coalition between the ANC and white monopoly capital. History will judge you harshly," Malema said, after conceding defeat.

  • African National Congress
  • John Steenhuisen
  • South Africa
  • Economic Freedom Fighters
  • Jacob Zuma
  • Democratic Alliance
  • Cyril Ramaphosa
  • Julius Malema

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Israeli police and rescue teams respond at the scene of a shooting attack where several people killed and injured in Jerusalem, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 (AP)

Al-Quds shooting: 7 settlers killed, several critically injured

  • Politics
  • 8 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

Pro-'Israel' far-right Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
People protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York, on Friday, September 27, 2024 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' stops unfunded diplomacy ahead of UN, October 7 memorial

An Israeli Air Force fighter jet releases flares over the Gaza Strip, is seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

OIC summit draft: Israeli attack on Qatar risks normalization

People shout slogans and hold Palestinian flags while protesting during the twenty-first stage of La Vuelta cycling race from Alalpardo to Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP)
Sports

Pro-Palestine protests force abrupt end to Vuelta a España finale

Damage is seen after an Israeli strike targeted a compound that hosted Hamas' political leadership in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli regime faces growing isolation over Qatar strike: Reports

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS