Analysis: The main players in South Africa’s election

After 30 years of dominating South African politics, the ruling African National Congress will face its toughest election Wednesday as most opinion polls predict it will lose its parliamentary majority for the first time.

President Cyril Ramaphosa hopes the May 29 ballot will lead to his reelection. But if the ANC does lose its majority, it will force it into a coalition to form a government — also a first for the country and something that may complicate policymaking in Africa’s most advanced economy.

“Here we have again in 2024, in the middle of an election season, this MK (Jacob Zuma’s party) breakaway. And I think that has put the ANC under a lot more pressure, because it’s a…