the DA, the MK, or the EFF.

This will take time, and the ANC will need to get over its shell shock.

It had believed it could get 45%, which would have put it into a position to dominate any discussions with coalition partners.

So it had no clear strategy for negotiating from such a relative position of weakness.

But as it stands, other parties could band together with a coalition of more than 40%.

Malema has said the EFF could work with Zuma’s MK, something the ANC has definitively ruled out.

This means that the most realistic coalition partner for the ANC is the DA.

But it remains far from clear whether South Africa would welcome the return of white figures to senior political positions – perhaps even the vice presidency – that this would most likely mean.

And the two parties would have to get over their past antagonism, particularly the DA’s longstanding and consistent criticism of the ANC.

Things will become clearer as negotiations continue.

Compromises can be reached, even between bitter enemies.

Malema, disappointed at being relegated into fourth place, might even overcome his scruples and agree to a coalition with the ANC.

But it’s far from clear how any of this will result in coherence in actual government.

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