Ramaphosa opens new Coalition Legislature

On Thursday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa inaugurated the new parliament, nearly two months after a historic election reshaped the nation’s political landscape and led to the formation of an unprecedented multi-party coalition government.

Ramaphosa addressed lawmakers at Cape Town City Hall, a temporary venue following a fire that destroyed the original parliament building two years ago. His speech marked the beginning of operations for the new coalition, which includes at least ten parties governing Africa’s most industrialized nation.

Ramaphosa emphasized that, despite political differences, the coalition is united in addressing South Africa’s primary challenges: unemployment, crushing poverty and inequality, and the failure of state institutions weakened by corruption and neglect, issues for which his party, the African National Congress (ANC), bears significant responsibility.

The May 29 election was a turning point for South Africa, with voters, frustrated by these persistent issues, delivering the ANC’s worst result in 30 years. The ANC lost its majority, which it had maintained since the end of apartheid, a system characterized by racial segregation and white minority rule.

“Despite the achievements of 30 years of democracy, millions of South Africans remain poor, unemployed, and live in a deeply unequal society,” Ramaphosa acknowledged. He called for unified action, stating, “The circumstances of South Africa today demand that we act together.”

This speech marked the start of South Africa’s “seventh administration,” the seventh government formed since the end of apartheid in 1994, when people of all races were allowed to vote.

Ramaphosa’s call for unity across political lines was generally well-received, given that many parties in parliament are now part of the governing coalition, including the Democratic Alliance, once the ANC’s staunchest opponent.

South Africa now also has a new official opposition, the MK party, led by former President Jacob Zuma, a former ANC leader who has become Ramaphosa’s fiercest critic. MK MPs were notably subdued during their first parliamentary session. Zuma was absent due to his disqualification from parliament following a 2021 criminal conviction and prison sentence for contempt of court.

Ramaphosa, a former protégé of Nelson Mandela, begins his second and final five-year term, though a humiliating election result for the ANC forced him to rely on cross-party support to be re-elected president by lawmakers last month.

His challenge is to maintain a broad coalition with significant political differences while addressing the serious issues facing the country. South Africa’s unemployment rate, at 32%, is the highest globally, and it is considered the most unequal country in terms of wealth distribution. The economy has stagnated for over a decade.

To tackle these issues, Ramaphosa stated that his coalition government, termed the “government of national unity,” would prioritize growth and job creation by creating new opportunities across various sectors, including mining, agriculture, small businesses, and green energy, while eliminating corruption and bureaucratic obstacles.

In a speech aimed at uniting the country after a divisive election, he provided few policy specifics but highlighted the significance of inter-party cooperation. “The inter-party cooperation is a historic moment for our country,” Ramaphosa said. “We share a commitment to reconcile our nation.”