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African National Congress

Nelson Mandela's New Government Takes Shape

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Nelson Mandela's African National Congress (ANC) party has been declared the winner of South Africa's historic election, with 62.7% of the vote. The election result was hailed as "substantially free and fair" by the Independent Electoral Commission. Mandela, set to be inaugurated as President next Tuesday, has begun to assemble his new government, naming Thabo Mbeki as his first executive deputy president. Mbeki, 51, spent 28 years in exile and has earned a reputation for his diplomatic skills.

Key Takeaways:

  • Thabo Mbeki, 51, has been named as Nelson Mandela's first executive deputy president, making him the likely heir apparent to Mandela.
  • Mbeki spent 28 years in exile, many of them as an envoy of the African National Congress to foreign governments and anti-apartheid organizations.
  • The ANC won 62.7% of the vote in the election, with the National Party of F.W. de Klerk gaining 20.4% and the Inkatha Freedom Party of Chief Mangosuthu G. Buthelezi securing 10.5%.
  • Mandela's new government will be a coalition, with the ANC holding 18 of 27 Cabinet seats, the National Party taking six, and the Inkatha Freedom Party securing three.
  • The new Cabinet includes several veterans of the struggle against apartheid, including Joe Slovo, Housing and Welfare, age 68, and Joe Modise, Defense, age 64.
  • The Cabinet also includes several newcomers, including Jay Naidoo, Minister without portfolio, age 39, and Sidney Mufamadi, Police, age 35.
  • Thabo Mbeki's selection as deputy president makes him the politician to beat in the 1999 elections.

Statistics:

  • 19,726,579 ballots were cast in the election (Source: The New York Times).
  • The estimated turnout was around 85% (Source: The New York Times).
  • The ANC won 62.7% of the vote, with the National Party taking 20.4% and the Inkatha Freedom Party securing 10.5% (Source: Independent Electoral Commission).
  • The new Cabinet will include 18 ministers from the ANC, six from the National Party, and three from the Inkatha Freedom Party.

Sources:

  • The New York Times: "Nelson Mandela, His Heir Apparent, and a Coalition Government; a Decisive Victory for the ANC" (no date).
  • Independent Electoral Commission: "Elections: Final Results From South Africa" (no date).
  • Associated Press: "Photo: Thabo Mbeki" (no date).

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