South Africa's Ramaphosa may struggle to push reforms

Significance

While Ramaphosa won one of the most contentious contests in the ANC's 105-year history, several of his allies failed to get elected to other top posts. Furthermore, controversial provincial Premiers David Mabuza (Mpumalanga) and Ace Magashule (Free State) were appointed deputy president and secretary-general, respectively.

Impacts

• Forthcoming legal cases against Zuma will likely present Ramaphosa with his first major test as ANC leader.
• Zuma-backed proposals on free higher education could delay further a proposed National Health Insurance scheme backed by ANC partners.
• Opposition parties will struggle to frame an anti-ANC platform around Ramaphosa in the short term.