South Africa's New Coalition Government: Implications for Social, Economic and Foreign Policy

Following the 2024 elections, the African National Congress (ANC) lost its majority, leading to the formation of a 'government of national unity' (GNU) comprising 10 parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA). While the ANC retains key portfolios like the presidency and foreign affairs, the coalition faces significant internal ideological tensions regarding economic policy and international relations, particularly concerning BRICS, Russia, and Israel. The document highlights a critical disconnect between South Africa's economic reliance on the EU and its political leanings toward the West's adversaries, suggesting that foreign policy will be the primary test of the coalition's stability.

• The 2024 elections resulted in the ANC losing its parliamentary majority, obtaining 40.18% of the vote compared to 57% in 2019. This led to the formation of a 'government of national unity' (GNU) consisting of 10 parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), and Patriotic Alliance (PA).
• The new cabinet distribution sees the ANC retaining critical portfolios such as the presidency, treasury, and foreign affairs, while the DA holds ministries including agriculture, basic education, home affairs, communication and digital technologies, environment, and public works and infrastructure.

APA

Ndzendze, B., & Hlabisa, N. (2024). South Africa's New Coalition Government: Implications for Social, Economic and Foreign Policy. Africa Policy Research Institute. https://afripoli.org/south-africas-new-coalition-government-implications-for-social-economic-and-foreign-policy

Chicago

Ndzendze, Bhaso, and Nhlakanipho Hlabisa. South Africa's New Coalition Government: Implications for Social, Economic and Foreign Policy. Africa Policy Research Institute, 2024. https://afripoli.org/south-africas-new-coalition-government-implications-for-social-economic-and-foreign-policy.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Ndzendze |first1=Bhaso |last2=Hlabisa |first2=Nhlakanipho |title=South Africa's New Coalition Government: Implications for Social, Economic and Foreign Policy |publisher=Africa Policy Research Institute |date=16 July 2024 |url=https://afripoli.org/south-africas-new-coalition-government-implications-for-social-economic-and-foreign-policy |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ndzendze2024south, author = {Ndzendze, Bhaso and Hlabisa, Nhlakanipho}, title = {{South Africa's New Coalition Government: Implications for Social, Economic and Foreign Policy}}, institution = {Africa Policy Research Institute}, year = {2024}, month = jul, url = {https://afripoli.org/south-africas-new-coalition-government-implications-for-social-economic-and-foreign-policy}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }