Youthful politician Julius Malema was the major beneficiary of recently concluded South Africa elections despite victory by ruling African National Congress party.
In a fiercely contested polls whose agenda revolved around unemployment and corruption, ANC grip in parliament dropped to 57 percent from 62 in 2014 polls, a move that could shake President Cyril Ramaphosa's leadership.
"Our people have given all of the leaders of our country a firm mandate to build a better South Africa for all," Ramaphosa said in Pretoria, acknowledging that the party must do more.
Traditional rival Democratic Alliance party also had dwindled fortunes after dropping representation in parliament to 21 percent from the previous 25 percent. The party managed 84 MPs to ANC's 230.
On Friday, Mmusi Maimane, the DA leader, said he was confident the party will continue to grow and do well in future votes.
"Give us until 2021 and 2024. We can demonstrate that we can hold all South Africans together," he said.
But it's the gains of left-leaning Economic Freedom Fighters party under Julius Malema that could worry ANC given it's gains in parliament. Barely 7 years old, EFF scored 12 percent up from 6 percent in 2014 polls.
Mr Malema, a former ANC youth leader, will now have 44 MPs in parliament, a number that could give Ramaphosa difficult times. In last edition, his 25 MPs gave Jacob Zuma hard times, forcing him to resign over corruption.
“I want to thank South Africans for coming out in their numbers and exercising their democratic rights. A lot of people died so we could do this: We have done everything possible to win this election. The process was smooth and I’m that the IEC seem to be organised," Malema said before official announcement of results.
With his ideologies anchored in social equity and anti-segregationanti-segregation, Malema I'd appealing to youths and indigenous South Africans, even though moderates accuse him of pushing extremists agenda.
Later on this year, Malema will be visiting Kenya where he will be hosted by Embakasi East MP Paul Ongili alias Babu Owino. Mr Owino is advocating for youth spearheaded revolution in Africa.