- The African National Congress has lost its majority following dwindling support and poor voter turnout. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has indicated he will not resign, despite calls for him to go
- Ramaphosa: ‘Our people have spoken’
The African National Congress (ANC) has won considerably fewer than half the seats in South Africa’s National Assembly.
It has taken 159 of 400, the country’s electoral commission said.
In the previous parliament, it had 230 seats.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said the result was a victory for democracy – despite his party losing its majority.
The ANC has had a majority since 1994.
Coalition talks will now get underway – but time is limited.
Parliament needs to sit for the first time – and elect a president – within 14 days of the election results being declared.
“Did we commit mistakes? Yes, we did – in governance and everywhere else,” Fikile Mbalula, the party’s secretary general, said on Sunday.
“The ANC is committed to the formation of a government that reflects the will of the people, that is stable and that is able to govern effectively,” he added.
The people of South Africa “have spoken”, President Cyril Ramaphosa has said, “whether we like it or not”.
He added: “We have heard the voices of our people and we must respect their choices and their wishes.
“The people of South Africa expect their leaders to work together to meet their needs.
“This is a time for all of us to put South Africa first.”
Coalition talks are getting underway after the ANC, Mr Ramaphosa’s party, lost its majority for the first time in 30 years.
It took just over 40% of the vote.
The main opposition party, the white-led, pro-business Democratic Alliance (DA), received 21.8% of the vote.
@Sky News excluding the headline