The African National Congress has agreed to form a government of national unity for South Africa with three other parties including its largest rival, the pro-business Democratic Alliance, public broadcaster SABC reported on Friday.
The ANC, which has been in power since the 1994 elections that marked the end of apartheid, lost its majority for the first time in a May 29 vote and two weeks of intensive behind-the-scenes talks with other parties came down to the wire.
The SABC report came as the newly elected parliament was convening for the first time and lawmakers were in the process of being sworn in. The chamber will later elect its speaker, deputy speaker and the country’s president.
Asked to confirm that the ANC and DA had signed a deal on a unity government, Zille told Reuters in a text message: “yes we did”.
Separately, a DA source said the party would get the post of deputy speaker of the National Assembly as part of the deal.
DA leader John Steenhuisen would give an address later on the outcome of negotiations, the party said.
Meeting in a Cape Town convention centre because its permanent home was damaged by fire in 2022, the newly elected National Assembly began proceedings with the swearing-in of lawmakers. The chamber was then due to elect its speaker and deputy speaker, and the country’s president.
