By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) secretary general Fikile Mbalula says there is nothing to celebrate for the party at their National Executive Meeting (NEC) meeting on Tuesday.
It is to thank their people and for party’s president Cyril Ramaphosa to speak about the election results.
Mbalula says the ANC commends the people of South Africa for demonstrating the strength and vibrancy of our democracy. He says the results shows the ANC remains the most popular party, and achieved a “decisive majority” in five provinces.
He said the ANC will hold discussions internally and with other groups “over the next few days”.
This marks a historic turning point for South Africa as the party has enjoyed an absolute majority since 1994, when liberation hero Nelson Mandela led the nation out of white-minority rule and into democracy.
If you come to us with the demand that Ramaphosa must step down as the President of ANC, that is not going to happen, added Mbalula.
“The results send a clear message to the ANC,” Mbalula said.
“We wish to assure the people of South Africa that we have heard them. We have heard their concerns, their frustrations and their dissatisfaction.”
The final results are to be formally announced on Sunday, with Ramaphosa due to deliver an address during an official ceremony near Johannesburg.
However, some parties have alleged discrepancies in the vote count.
The largest and most vocal was uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), which warned electoral authorities against going ahead with the final announcements.
Data from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) showed MK in third place on 14.59 percent, a surprise score for a party founded just months ago as a vehicle for the former ANC chief.
But throughout the campaign, MK told supporters it was going to win two-thirds of the vote.
IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya said the commission was going to look at “everything that is before us” and had ordered recounts in 24 instances.
The ANC will now have to turn to opponents to form a government.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) held second place with 21.78 percent, slightly up on its 20.77 showing in 2019.
The ANC remains respected for its leading role in overthrowing white minority rule, and its progressive social welfare and black economic empowerment policies are credited by supporters with helping millions of black families out of poverty.
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Video Courtesy of MYANC.