President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa announced a new coalition government, after its ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), lost its parliamentary majority in the May elections.
He said that “the government of national unity… is unprecedented in the history of our democracy.”
The ANC will have 20 of the 32 ministerial posts, while the pro-market Democratic Alliance (DA) – so far the main opposition party – will have six. Six other portfolios are shared between smaller parties.
These appointments followed weeks of tense negotiations that threatened to destroy the agreement – at one point, Mr Ramaphosa accused the Attorney General of trying to create a “parallel government” in violation of the Constitution.
The ANC’s declining support in the elections reflected public frustration over its poor record in providing basic services and combating unemployment, poverty and corruption.
The ANC led by Nelson Mandela came to power in 1994, ending decades of white minority rule in South Africa.
Some of his activists criticized him for sharing power with the AD, which some consider to represent white interests.
The coalition government was welcomed by the business community, which said it would guarantee economic stability, in contrast to a potential deal with two radical parties that split from the ANC.
In the new cabinet, the ANC will maintain key ministries such as defense, finance and also foreign affairs – where it has been vocal in its support for the Palestinians and intensely critical of Israeli actions in Gaza. Outgoing Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor was replaced by Ronald Lamola, who was previously Minister of Justice.
The Prosecutor’s Office’s portfolios include internal affairs – which controls immigration, as well as public works – which have been at the center of a series of corruption scandals. The party also assumes basic education, but not higher education. Party leader John Steenhuisen will lead the ministry of agriculture – a sector dominated by white farmers and businesses.
In a televised speech on Sunday, Ramaphosa said: “The new government will prioritize rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and the creation of a fairer society.”
The ANC hailed the move as “an important step forward and a testament to the resilience of our democracy”.
DA leader Mr Steenhuisen told the nation that his party “conducted a tough negotiation” during what he called “robust negotiations” to ensure the DA obtained portfolios of “true substance”.
“Good governance, zero tolerance to corruption and pragmatic policymaking” were all promised by the AD chief, who said his party is now “proud to face the challenge and take our place, for the first time, at the headquarters of the national government”.
Despite a coalition cabinet agreement, strong political differences persist between the ANC and the DA.
Perhaps the biggest and most controversial issues are the DA’s opposition to the ANC’s national health policy and its black economic empowerment program.
Crucially, the ANC maintains control of government ministries – mines, trade and land reform – which are central to its policies on black economic empowerment.
In the May elections, the ANC obtained 40% of the vote, while the DA obtained 22%.
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