The fracturing of South African politics, explained

South Africa still doesn’t have a government two weeks after elections, but may piece together a ruling coalition — and elect its next president — during a parliamentary session Friday. 

The political turmoil comes as the country moves into uncharted territory. For the past 30 years, the African National Congress (ANC) — the party of freedom fighter and former President Nelson Mandela — has governed the country. But during this year’s elections, the ANC failed to win a majority amid concerns over its leaders’ ability to vanquish the effects of apartheid and to create true economic equality between Black and white South Africans. Voters also expressed frustration with years of corrupt politicians plundering the country’s resources and failing to address people’s needs like providing jobs, combating climate change, and providing safe housing — hence the rejection of the ruling party.