Ruling party of Nelson Mandela suffers significant election setback in South Africa

South Africa was not used to everyone being able to vote. They waited until late at night to cast their first vote for a black party led by a black man, who had fought for and led the African National Congress (ANC). Nelson Mandela, the former president, would likely be upset by the current state of the ANC. The party has faced humiliation in recent elections, falling short of a majority for the first time in 30 years. This means they will need to form a coalition with other parties to govern the country. The ruling ANC party is facing a significant political shift after the recent elections. Two splinter parties, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), have gained substantial votes. Cyril Ramaphosa, the current president of South Africa, took over from Jacob Zuma in 2018 with promises of a "new dawn." However, the ANC's failure to address issues during Zuma's presidency has led to their current challenges. Analysts believe that the most likely coalition government will be between the ANC and the Democratic Alliance (DA). This situation is unprecedented for South Africa, and the country is entering uncharted territory. Despite the uncertainty, some see this election as a positive step towards democracy, as one-party dominance is not ideal. South Africa faces high unemployment rates, making the formation of a coalition government a tough situation for the ANC and Ramaphosa. The future is uncertain, but it is evident that the country and the ANC will undergo significant changes. The legacy of Nelson Mandela, who never lost an election, looms large over the current political landscape.