ANC ‘Obliterated’ in South Africa Election; ‘Chaotic’ New Era of Coalition Politics Dawns

African National Congress still South Africa’s biggest political player but will have to form a coalition government to stay in power.

President of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa speaks to the audience during the official election results announcement ceremony at the IEC National Results Center on June 2, 2024, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Chris McGrath/Getty Images

JOHANNESBURG—“South Africa’s a new country today, but I’m really afraid of that. We don’t know what that looks like,” said Pieter Fourie, a middle-aged, middle-class man walking his shaggy Alsatian through autumn leaves on a street in Melville, Johannesburg.

His younger companion, Sally Kruger, sighed.