For most of its modern history South Africa has been governed by a single dominant party. The National Party, the architects of apartheid, were in charge from 1948 to 1994. After white-minority rule ended the African National Congress (ANC) became the hegemonic force. Following years of corruption and economic stagnation its pre-eminence was finally checked at general elections in May. The ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time, forcing it to form a coalition government in order to stay in power.
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