Cape Town – Following the ANC’s disappointing performance in the recent elections, over 70 party leaders will lose their parliamentary positions.
The ANC’s support has dropped by nearly 20 percentage points since the 2019 elections, partly due to mismanagement and the emergence of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.
With the ANC winning just above 40% of the vote, the MK Party has become the third-largest in the National Assembly.
As a result, some ANC MPs will have to vacate their seats to make room for the MK Party and other growing parties.
The fate of these MPs will depend on the ANC’s candidate list submitted before the elections, but they are expected to receive end-of-service benefits despite losing their positions.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South Africans to unite for the common good following the conclusion of the national and provincial elections.
In his weekly newsletter, he emphasised the importance of holding the Constitution and rule of law in high regard as political parties seek to form coalitions.
As we work as political parties to find each other across the divide in the coming weeks and months, let us demonstrate both in our actions and our utterances that we hold the Constitution and the rule of law to be paramount. https://t.co/tilh7aOJl4 pic.twitter.com/1hXsNloyN3
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) June 3, 2024
Ramaphosa called for responsible leadership and constructive engagement, warning against threats of violence or instability.
“Although every political party carries a mandate based on the commitments they made to the electorate, all parties share an over-arching mandate to build a country that is inclusive, united and prosperous.
“This moment in our country calls for responsible leadership and constructive engagement. There can be no place for threats of violence or instability,” Ramaphosa said.
He emphasised the need to stand firm against any attempts to undermine the constitutional order.
“South Africans must stand firm against any attempts to undermine the constitutional order we have worked so hard to build, and for which so many struggled and sacrificed.
“Whatever challenges we may face as political events unfold, they should be dealt with in a spirit of cooperation and in accordance with the prescripts of our Constitution and the rule of law.”
Ramaphosa expressed confidence in the Electoral Commission of South Africa, citing positive feedback from the Election Satisfaction Survey conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council.
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