More than 97% of the votes have been counted in South Africa, and the ruling African National Congress is certain to lose its absolute majority. The party that has ruled the country since Nelson Mandela became president in 1994 just received 40 percent of the vote. This means that the ANC must form a coalition with another party in order to continue to govern.

The largest opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, received 21 percent of the votes, followed by the party of former president Jacob Zuma. His recently founded left-wing populist party, Umkhonto we Sizwe, received more than 9% of the vote.

Because of his conviction for contempt of justice, Zuma himself was not allowed to sit in Parliament. He did not attend the court hearing in the corruption investigation during his term (2009-2018). The law stipulates that no person sentenced to more than one year in prison may become a representative in Parliament.

Since the end of apartheid, the ANC has always won an absolute majority in national elections. But over the years, more and more people have been turning away from the party.