The leader of the ANC, Cyril Ramaphosa, was re-elected in the early morning hours on Saturday (15/6) as South Africa’s president for a second term. It followed a landmark coalition deal between the ANC and opposition parties.

The ANC, which lost its parliamentary majority in the May election, entered into a government of national unity (GNU) with other parties. This coalition combines Ramaphosa’s ANC, the centre-right DA, and smaller parties.

The Constitution stipulates that once elected as President by the National Assembly, the President-elect must assume office within five days by taking an oath or affirming their faithfulness to the Republic and their obedience to the Constitution. The inauguration of the… pic.twitter.com/MItBFp7mug

— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) June 15, 2024

In a media briefing on Friday, Steenhuisen said the challenges facing the country remain serious, highlighting high unemployment, crime, infrastructure decline, and endemic corruption.

“The DA has reached an agreement on the statement of intent for the formation of a government of national unity,” he said on Friday, adding that the DA and IFP would back the coalition.

“We will be supporting President Cyril Ramaphosa in his election for the president of the Republic of South Africa,” Steenhuisen said on Friday during a pause in the opening session of South Africa's seventh parliament since the start of post-apartheid democracy in 1994.

Ramaphosa secured his second term with the help of these politicians. He received 283 votes in parliament, while the EFF’s Julius Malema received 44 votes.

‘EFF seeks an urgent application for Ramaphosa’s impeachment’

The coalition deal represents a historic shift, as the ANC had ruled South Africa with a comfortable majority for 30 years. Ramaphosa called it a “new birth” for the country and emphasised the need for parties to work together despite their differences.

Members of the National Assembly during the nomination process of the President of the Republic of South Africa. #7thParliament #FirstSitting #30YearsofDemocracy #30YearsofDemocraticParliament pic.twitter.com/4NBsZkkVeE

— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) June 14, 2024

During the voting process, EFF Deputy President Floyd Shivambu raised a point of order, seeking an urgent application for Ramaphosa’s impeachment. The EFF cited evidence related to a robbery at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in Limpopo in February 2020.

Thoko Didiza, a former Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development, has been elected as the new Speaker of the National Assembly.

Thoko Didiza has been elected as the new Speaker of the National Assembly. Photo: GCIS

Thoko Didiza, a former Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development, has been elected as the new Speaker of the National Assembly. 

Didiza received 284 votes, defeating EFF MP Veronica Mente, who received 49 votes. There were also nine spoilt votes.

The newly elected Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thokozile Didiza. #7thParliament #FirstSitting #30YearsofDemocracy #30YearsofDemocraticParliament pic.twitter.com/BI05VQDshZ

— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) June 14, 2024

Dr Annelie Lotriet, a DA Member of Parliament and former Free State ward councillor has been elected as the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly. Lotriet secured 273 votes, defeating Vuyo Zungula, ATM leader, who received 54 votes. Zungula was nominated by the EFF. 

Lotriet’s election is part of the GNU coalition formed by the ANC, DA, and IFP after the ANC’s loss of its parliamentary majority in the recent election.

Who is Lotriet?

Lotriet was born and raised in Johannesburg but served in local government as a DA ward councillor in Mangaung in the Free State since 2000. She has a BA Languages (English and Latin) degree from RAU, a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education, a B.Ed, M.ED and D.Ed, and an LLB from Unisa. She has a diverse background, having served as the DA’s Deputy Chief Whip in Parliament and as the Deputy Chairperson of the DA Federal Legal Commission.  

Lotriet has been an MP since 2009 and has contributed significantly to South African politics. She previously served as Shadow Minister of Arts and Culture, Higher Education and Training and Science and Technology. Lotriet also served three terms as the Provincial Chairperson of the Free State and a caucus whip for two terms.

HOW THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES’ FIRST SITTING WILL UNFOLD

Parliament, Saturday, 15 June 2024 – Today is the first sitting of the National Council of (NCOP) as determined by Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa, Raymond Zondo.

The NCOP represents the provinces…

— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) June 15, 2024

President Cyril Ramaphosa will now appoint his new cabinet from among the members of the GNU.

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