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South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) has secured 159 out of 400 seats in the National Assembly, according to the country's electoral commission.

This result, announced on Sunday, signifies a significant shift in the political landscape, as the ANC has lost its outright majority in parliament for the first time since the end of apartheid and white minority rule three decades ago. In the previous 2019 election, the ANC had held 230 seats.

The main opposition, the pro-business Democratic Alliance, which is predominantly white-led, claimed 87 seats, coming in second place. A new political entity, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) - "spear of the nation" in Zulu - supported by former president Jacob Zuma, garnered 58 seats. The radical left-wing Economic Freedom Fighters secured the fourth position with 39 seats.

Following the election results, the ANC has expressed its willingness to engage in discussions with all political parties to potentially form a coalition government. This openness marks a strategic shift as the party navigates a changed parliamentary dynamic.