Editorial | South Africa stability of global importance

The African National Congress has ruled South Africa for 30 years since freeing the country’s black majority from the former apartheid regime. It was once hard to imagine government by any party other than that of liberation hero Nelson Mandela, such was its overwhelming support. But that did not reckon with its failure to deliver a better life for most South Africans.

High levels of poverty, joblessness and inequality, rampant crime, rolling power cuts and corruption have held Africa’s most developed country back and finally caught up with the ANC at the ballot box.

The ANC was on notice after the 2019 election, when its vote slid to 57.5 per cent from 62.15 per cent in 2014. This was after disgraced former president Jacob Zuma resigned amid corruption scandals.

At this stage Zuma’s successor, Cyril Ramaphosa, seems likely to be chosen as president again when parliament meets on June 16.

The ANC polled only 40 per cent at the latest election, leaving it to negotiate with other parties about forming a government. Ramaphosa has said the ANC will seek to form a government of national unity with a broad group of opposition parties. It is to be hoped the ANC’s future governing partners will hold it to account for policies that drive economic growth, improve the lives of grass-roots supporters and address social inequalities.

Investor and business confidence is critical. They would probably prefer to see the free-market Democratic Alliance, which won 22 per cent of the vote, play a role in a unity or coalition government.