Irish Examiner view: In South Africa, the ANC has been rocked by Zuma’s upstarts

The African National Congress, forged in the image of Nelson Mandela, saw its dominant share of electoral support fall from 57.5% in 2019 to barely 40% on a much reduced turnout

South African president and ANC leader Cyril Ramaphosa leaving the national results centre on Sunday following the announcement of the results of South Africa's general election. Picture: Jerome Delay/AP

With just a few more votes to be counted last night in South Africa, it had become clear that its epoch-breaking election had ended 30 years of hegemony for the party of Nelson Mandela.

The African National Congress, forged in the image of the man they called simply ‘Madiba’ — his clan name for leader — saw its dominant share of electoral support fall from 57.5% in 2019 to barely 40% on a much reduced turnout.