South Africa’s President Urges Unity as Ruling ANC Loses Majority for First Time

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, in Johannesburg, South Africa, on June 2, 2024. Chris McGrath/Getty Images

JOHANNESBURG—President Cyril Ramaphosa called on South Africa’s political parties to work together for the good of the country as final results from last week’s election confirmed his African National Congress (ANC) had lost its majority for the first time.

The result, announced on Sunday, is the worst election showing for the ANC—Africa’s oldest liberation movement, once led by Nelson Mandela—since it came to power 30 years ago, ending white minority rule.