The first sitting of the National Assembly took place after the elections on Friday (June 14) at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
It was a historic occasion as the ruling ANC lost its majority stake in the 2024 National Elections for the first time since it swept to power at the end of apartheid 30 years ago. The Cyril Ramaphosa-led party secured 40.18% of votes, with the DA obtaining 21.8%, meaning it needed coalition partners to form a government – which it now refers to as the Government of National Unity (GNU).
Below are the nine newly elected Premiers representing the seventh democratic Parliament:
- Panyaza Lesufi (ANC): re-elected unopposed Gauteng Premier
- Oscar Mabuyane (ANC): re-elected as Eastern Cape Premier
- Thami Ntuli (IFP): KwaZulu-Natal Premier
- Alan Winde (DA): re-elected Western Cape Premier
- Phophi Ramathuba (ANC): Limpopo Premier. Dr Ramathuba becomes the first woman to lead the province as premier since the dawn of democracy
- Lazarus Mokgosi (ANC): North West Province
- Mandla Ndlovu: Mpumalanga Premier
- Zamani Saul (ANC): Northern Cape Premier
- MaQueen Letsoha-Mathale: Free State Premier
Meanwhile, President Ramaphosa emerged triumphant after the 7th Administration re-elected him as the President of the Republic of South Africa in a surprising twist that saw him not standing unopposed – with the EFF leader Julius also nominated as the Presidential candidate.
Speaker of Parliament
Thoko Didiza (ANC) was elected as the 7th Speaker of the National Assembly, while the DA’s Annelie Lotriet was appointed as the Deputy Speaker.