South African ruling party ANC looks set to lose 30-year majority in parliament

Voters punish party of late Nelson Mandela for years of decline

MK Party supporters celebrate in the middle of the street in Mahlbnathini village in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Photo: AP

Bhargav Acharva and Anait Miridzhanian

The African National Congress looked set to lose the parliamentary majority it has held for 30 years, partial election results yesterday showed, as voters punished the former liberation movement for years of decline in South Africa.

While the party of the late Nelson Mandela looked likely to remain the largest political force, such an outcome would push it into a coalition with other parties for the first time in the country’s post-apartheid history.