In the latest twist that could have been scripted by a daytime soap opera, Cyril Ramaphosa has secured a second five-year term as President of South Africa. Political flexibility has been taken to new heights, so much so that politicians might very well be practicing yoga down the parliamentary halls.

The election result came after the African National Congress (ANC) struck a coalition deal with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and smaller parties, proving that in politics, as in yoga, flexibility can often get you into positions you never knew were possible (Sky News, June 14, 2024; NBC News, June 15, 2024).

The ANC, previously seen as the untouchable political giant, found itself in a humbling situation by securing only 40% of the vote. This dramatic fall from grace forced them to negotiate a power-sharing agreement. It's like watching a lion needing to consult with zebras on dinner plans (Sky News, June 14, 2024).

Ramaphosa received 283 votes against Julius Malema's 44 in the 400-member house. Malema probably wishes he had distributed free yoga mats to legislators to boost his numbers (NBC News, June 15, 2024).

This coalition marks the first national government where no party holds a majority in Parliament, signaling an era where negotiation and compromise reign supreme—qualities usually reserved for couples deciding who does the dishes (Sky News, June 14, 2024; NBC News, June 15, 2024). Ramaphosa called the coalition deal a “new birth, a new era for our country” (NBC News, June 15, 2024).

The Parliament session, which started at 10 a.m. in a conference center near Cape Town's waterfront, stretched all day with the results announced well after 10 p.m. This long haul probably required more than just political endurance—maybe some meditation sessions too (NBC News, June 15, 2024).

In the newly formed coalition, the ANC holds 159 of the 400 seats while the DA has 87. Apparently, putting aside differences is the new norm, much like at family reunions when someone brings up politics (Sky News, June 14, 2024).

Ramaphosa praised the parties for coming together and expressed his commitment to achieving his role as president. The unity government mirrors the approach taken by Nelson Mandela in 1994. Sometimes, the oldest tricks in the political playbook still work wonders (NBC News, June 15, 2024).

John Steenhuisen, leader of the DA, is optimistic about the coalition and looks forward to serving the people of the country. Optimism is essential when your political strategy involves a significant amount of bending and stretching—both of which aren't so far off from yoga-class routines (Sky News, June 14, 2024; NBC News, June 15, 2024).

The vote for president started late and although arduous, ended with a unity government—a concept reminiscent of Mandela’s early post-apartheid efforts (NBC News, June 15, 2024).

The ANC’s dominance has been waning over the last decade, beset by widespread poverty, a stagnating economy, rising unemployment, and power and water shortages. Clearly, it's hard to maintain a majority without functional public utilities—another potential yoga lesson in the importance of a good flow (Sky News, June 14, 2024; NBC News, June 15, 2024).

What’s next for South African politicians? Will regular yoga sessions become standard procedure in parliamentary proceedings? Will they discover new levels of zen amidst political chaos? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: in the age of political contortions, mastering flexibility isn’t just for yoga enthusiasts anymore.

As South Africa steps into this new political era, balancing between tradition and innovation, the yoga mats may prove essential not just for health, but for survival in this newly minted coalition government. If coalition members can keep their balance, they may indeed usher in a much-needed era of stability and progress.

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