The story so far: Two years after it was forced to lead a coalition government for the first time since the end of apartheid, the African National Congress (ANC) has suffered its worst election result ever, winning just 30.76% of the vote in local body polls held across South Africa this week.

The party that led the anti-apartheid struggle, took charge of a new society under Nelson Mandela and dominated national politics for nearly three decades is now in freefall, hobbled by corruption allegations and factionalism, and losing supporters at every election.