With more than 70% of the results declared, the African National Congress (ANC) has secured 42% of the vote.
This marks a significant departure from the party’s historical performance, as it has consistently polled above 50% in every election since 1994.
If the current trends persist, the ANC could fail to achieve a parliamentary majority for the first time in 30 years.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is currently in second place with 23% of the vote. The newly formed party, MK, led by ex-President Jacob Zuma, has performed particularly well in his stronghold of KwaZulu-Natal and has garnered 12% of the vote nationally, placing it third overall.
Should the ANC fall short of the 50% threshold, it will be compelled to form a coalition government with one or more smaller parties to achieve a majority in the 400-member National Assembly, where the distribution of seats directly reflects the vote share.
This potential shift marks an unprecedented moment in South African politics, as the ANC has never been in a position where it needed to form a coalition. This vote signals the beginning of a new era in the country’s political landscape.