The year 2024 has marked a historic moment in global democracy, with nearly half of the world’s population participating in elections across 72 different countries. This “super election year” serves as a powerful testament to the enduring appeal of democracy, illustrating a collective aspiration towards greater political participation and representation. However, beneath this veneer of progress lies a sobering reality: global democracy is at its lowest point in 40 years. The world is witnessing an alarming trend of democratic backsliding, where authoritarianism and political repression are on the rise even in nations once considered beacons of democratic governance.
Amid this global backdrop, South Africa’s recent general election on May 29, 2024, stands out as a pivotal event that has dramatically altered the political landscape of the country. For the past three decades, since the end of apartheid in 1994, the African National Congress (ANC) has maintained a stronghold on South African politics, consistently securing solid majorities in each of the six national elections held during that period. Under the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa, the ANC had come to be seen as the default ruling party. However, this year’s election results have shattered that long-standing dominance.
For the first time in South Africa’s democratic history, the ANC fell short of an outright majority, securing only 40% of the vote. The party’s diminished support marks a significant shift in public sentiment, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with issues like corruption, economic stagnation, and social inequality that have plagued the nation under the ANC’s leadership. Faced with the reality of a fractured mandate, the ANC was compelled to form a coalition government, leading to the establishment of what has been termed the Government of National Unity. This coalition includes the former opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), as well as the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), the Patriotic Alliance, and other smaller parties.
On the surface, this new coalition appears to be a triumph for South African democracy. It brings together a wide range of political ideologies, promising a more inclusive and representative government. At a time when the world is grappling with democratic backsliding, the creation of a Government of National Unity might seem like a beacon of hope. However, a deeper examination reveals that this coalition is far from the idealized vision of unity it purports to be.
One of the most glaring issues with the new coalition is its exclusion of significant political players, particularly those from the left-wing spectrum. Notably absent are the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK party) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), two influential parties that together garnered around 25% of the national vote. The MK party, led by former President Jacob Zuma, secured approximately 15% of the vote, making it the third-largest party in the country. The EFF, under the leadership of Julius Malema, won about 10% of the vote, placing it in fourth position. The exclusion of these parties from the Government of National Unity raises critical questions about the true inclusiveness of this coalition. If a quarter of the electorate is not represented in this so-called unity government, can it genuinely claim to reflect the will of the people?

The absence of the MK party and the EFF from the coalition was not due to a lack of invitation but rather a deliberate choice on their part to stay out. The MK party, a splinter group that broke away from the ANC, has a particularly contentious relationship with President Ramaphosa. The party’s leader, Jacob Zuma, has a storied and fraught history with Ramaphosa, dating back to their time as colleagues within the ANC. Zuma was ousted from the presidency in 2018 amid widespread corruption allegations, with Ramaphosa succeeding him. This power shift left a lasting rift between the two, compounded by Zuma’s accusations that Ramaphosa betrayed the party’s revolutionary ideals. Following the election, the MK party declared that it would not participate in any coalition government as long as Ramaphosa remained president, demanding his resignation as a precondition for their involvement.
Similarly, the EFF, known for its radical leftist positions and populist rhetoric, refused to join any government that included the DA. The EFF’s leader, Julius Malema, has long accused the DA of pursuing an “imperialist agenda” and being fundamentally opposed to the interests of the country’s Black majority. The animosity between these two parties was further inflamed by DA leader John Steenhuisen’s pre-election warnings about a potential “Doomsday Coalition” between the ANC and the EFF. Steenhuisen claimed that such an alliance would lead to ethnic and racial conflict unlike anything the nation had witnessed before, presenting the DA as the only safeguard against this alleged threat to national stability.
The decision by the ANC to partner with the DA instead of seeking a broader coalition that includes the MK party and the EFF has been met with both surprise and scepticism. Ramaphosa’s willingness to ally with the DA, despite years of animosity and accusations hurled between the two parties, suggests that this coalition may be driven more by political expediency than by a genuine desire for national unity. In the past, Ramaphosa has labelled the DA as “treasonous” and “reactionary,” accusing it of serving the interests of the country’s racial minorities rather than the broader South African public. On the other hand, Steenhuisen has accused the ANC of being a party of “scammers and manipulators,” who have failed to deliver on their promises to the South African people.
Yet, despite this heated rhetoric, the two former adversaries now find themselves governing side by side. This unexpected partnership has led many to question whether the Government of National Unity is truly a step forward for South African democracy or simply a marriage of convenience aimed at sidelining political rivals like the MK party and the EFF. The optics of Ramaphosa and Steenhuisen standing together as allies after years of mutual vilification raise doubts about the coalition’s legitimacy and longevity.
Critics argue that the exclusion of the MK party and the EFF from the government could deepen political polarization in South Africa. The MK party, in particular, draws significant support from disenfranchised communities that feel neglected by the political establishment. Similarly, the EFF’s base consists largely of young, economically marginalized voters who are frustrated with the status quo. By leaving these parties out of the coalition, the Government of National Unity risks alienating a substantial portion of the electorate, potentially exacerbating social tensions.
The broader question is whether this coalition can truly strengthen South Africa’s democratic institutions in a time of global democratic erosion. The Government of National Unity comes at a critical juncture not only for South Africa but for the world, as democracy faces unprecedented challenges. If successful, this coalition could serve as a model for other countries grappling with political fragmentation. However, if it proves to be merely a tactical alliance to maintain power, it may further erode public trust in democratic governance.
As South Africa enters this new era of coalition politics, the world watches with bated breath. Can this diverse coalition bridge the deep-seated divides within South African society, or will it crumble under the weight of its internal contradictions? In an era where democratic backsliding is becoming the norm, South Africa’s Government of National Unity may either be a bold experiment in inclusive governance or yet another casualty of political opportunism. Only time will reveal whether this coalition can transform South African politics for the better or if it will deepen the fractures in an already divided nation.
↓ Image Attributions
[1]: “President Cyril Ramaphosa replies to questions in National Assembly” by GovernmentZA // Licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
[2]: “Jacob Zuma – World Economic Forum on Africa 2009” by World Economic Forum // Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0