--- title: "In pictures - Five days that shifted South Africa's political landscape" description: "For some, it was five nail-biting days; for others it was pure elation. And for many others, it was a massive disappointment. Daily Maverick chief photographer Felix Dlangamandla spent Wednesday, 29 May, to Sunday, 2 June, at the IEC National Results Operations Centre in Midrand, capturing the highs and lows of the 2024 South African elections." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "2024 ELECTIONS PHOTO ESSAY" author: "Felix Dlangamandla" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/felix-dlangamandla/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-06-03-in-pictures-five-days-that-shifted-south-africas-political-landscape/" published: "2024-06-03T23:40:47" updated: "2024-06-04T10:09:52" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 521 --- # In pictures - Five days that shifted South Africa's political landscape > For some, it was five nail-biting days; for others it was pure elation. And for many others, it was a massive disappointment. Daily Maverick chief photographer Felix Dlangamandla spent Wednesday, 29 May, to Sunday, 2 June, at the IEC National Results Operations Centre in Midrand, capturing the highs and lows of the 2024 South African elections. By Felix Dlangamandla · Published 4 June 2024, 01:40 SAST · Updated 4 June 2024, 12:09 SAST ## Key points - Politicians mingle and jostle for attention at the IEC National Results Operations Centre, creating a lively spectacle ahead of the big reveal. - Political leaders gather at IEC Results Centre in Midrand for official announcements on 1-2 June 2024. - President Cyril Ramaphosa and ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula among attendees. - Opposition leaders, including Jacob Zuma and Julius Malema, also present. - Atmosphere lightened as politicians share moments ahead of results. ## Content ![Bheki Cele and Gwede Mantashe share a light moment at the official announcement at the IEC National Results Operation Centre in Midrand on 02 June 2024.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/gGhaR9XZPXyEkd7PzIXTehG9-9M=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PM_1347.jpg) *Bheki Cele and Gwede Mantashe share a light moment at the official announcement at the IEC National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on 2 June 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![President Cyril Ramaphosa walks to the stage to deliver a speech at the official announcement at the IEC National Results Operation Centre in Midrand on 02 June 2024.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/qJ8caWSNn0ccCHGYPFuCFqzUMyU=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20V0568.jpg) *President Cyril Ramaphosa walks to the stage to deliver the main speech at the official announcement at the IEC National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on 2 June 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives for the official announcement at the IEC National Results Operation Centre in Midrand on 02 June 2024.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/8wusUJ5F4sSLFqQWlUL1AF3Y-C4=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PM_1361.jpg) *President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives for the official announcement at the IEC National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on 2 June 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Naledi Pandor and Gwede Mantashe have a chat at the IEC National Results Operation Centre in Midrand on 02 June 2024.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/glNu6FC8aNeTnqHwArzeB7tPC0I=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PM_1306.jpg) *Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor and Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe have a chat at the IEC National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on 2 June 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula briefs the media at the IEC National Results Operation Centre in Midrand on 02 June 2024.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/ptWE2-dZ_AewWKew0BR99LVBnDo=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PM_1250.jpg) *ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula briefs the media at the IEC National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on 2 June 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![A shadow of the ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula on the backdrop while he briefs the media at the IEC National Results Operation Centre in Midrand on 02 June 2024.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/KZ_7smX25dRrup9AdQcZwAqyCw0=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PM_1283.jpg) *A shadow of the ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula on the backdrop while he briefs the media at the IEC National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on 2 June 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Leader of the uMkhonto Wesizwe Party Jacob Zuma arrives at the IEC National Results Operation Centre in Midrand on 01 June 2024.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/MO9LBao7PL9aof1EG1XiKP7IEao=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PM_1024.jpg) *Leader of the uMkhonto Wesizwe Party Jacob Zuma arrives at the IEC National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on 1 June 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Leader of the uMkhonto Wesizwe party Jacob Zuma arrives at the IEC National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on 1 June 2024.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/7kJugoUw3esP0Gyjsfv5yvJOZf4=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PM_1157.jpg) *Leader of the uMkhonto Wesizwe party Jacob Zuma arrives at the IEC National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on 1 June 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Patriotic Alliance president Gayton McKenzie at the IEC Results Operation Centre in Midrand on 1 June 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/IjmaDtfiZ_9WXBM21Y7pboz7mm4=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PM_0749.jpg) *Gayton McKenzie, president of the Patriotic Alliance, at the IEC National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on 1 June 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Songezo Zibi,Mzansi leader at the IEC Results Operation Centre in Midrand on 01 June 2024.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/GCG5UOAW8pxifmq3vufF-tpnDCg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PM_0798.jpg) *Songezo Zibi, Rise Mzansi leader, at the IEC National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on 1 June 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Duduzile Zuma at the IEC Results Operation Centre in Midrand on 01 June 2024.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/uhAg-AG7XhJ5HUmNlvjqVAZ3j_A=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PM_0768.jpg) *Jacob Zuma's whisperer, Duduzile Zuma at the IEC National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on 1 June 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Gayton McKenzie president of the Patriotic Alliance and Makashule Gana at the IEC Results Operation Centre in Midrand on 01 June 2024.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/eZpCV1Y9KN-8cIPZJpp1qsyMFXQ=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PM_0772.jpg) *Gayton McKenzie, president of the Patriotic Alliance, and Makashule Gana of Rise Mzansi at the IEC National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on 1 June 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Marshall Dlamini,EFF leader Julius Malema and Flyod Shivambu at the IEC Results Operation Centre in Midrand on 01 June 2024.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/9D6SDuJVn-j6skFvA62D2zayNnw=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PM_0697.jpg) *Marshall Dlamini, EFF leader Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambu at the IEC National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on 1 June 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![(From left) The EFF’s Vuyani Phambo, Omphile Maotwe and Floyd Shivhambu and the ANC’s Gwede Mantashe at the IEC Results Operation Centre in Midrand on 1 June 2024.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/J7-nvOv2zNuBOZkygodVHnFgplg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PM_0479.jpg) *The EFF’s Vuyani Pambo, Omphile Maotwe and Floyd Shivambu, and the ANC’s Gwede Mantashe at the IEC National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on 1 June 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane at the IEC Results Operation Centre in Midrand on 01 June 2024.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/HbQT8azL7Q8PX9q0rXe2_rYxPV8=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20V0477.jpg) *Bosa leader Mmusi Maimane at the IEC National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on 1 June 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Party agents and IEC staff at the IEC Results Operation Centre in Midrand on 1 June 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/bJQ9x-SS6z7dENAwk2JxIUmw8Ak=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PM_0423.jpg) *Party agents and IEC staff at the IEC Results Operation Centre in Midrand on 1 June 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Ace Magashule at the IEC Results Operation Centre in Midrand on 31 May 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/TdyLV_SgZ2oq6gE8SlxPtW6m5wM=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PM_0387.jpg) *Ace Magashule at the IEC Results Operation Centre in Midrand on 31 May 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Dali Mpofu and Sizwe Mpofu-Welsh at the IEC Results Operation Centre in Midrand on 31 May 2024.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/FxeU5nBGK1RlZpgM1r-EBYacwCI=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V0470.jpg) *EFF leader Advocate Dali Mpofu and Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh at the IEC National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on 31 May 2024.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Dali Mpofu and Duduzile Zuma at the IEC Results Operation Centre in Midrand on 31 May 2024.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/RBVfblEtmfjTY8-y7zxEPWXpDvU=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V0461.jpg) *Dali Mpofu and Duduzile Zuma at the IEC National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on 31 May 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Floyd Shivambu at the IEC Results Operation Centre in Midrand on 31 May 2024.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/BElbw9qi85nxpTedMeJlSsPSnIw=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V0455.jpg) *EFF's Floyd Shivambu at the IEC National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on 31 May 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Gwede Mantashe and Herman Mashaba at the IEC Results Operation Centre in Midrand on 31 May 2024.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/WXvz5byfQId0LyCW_x-WJkUK3gI=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/PM_0322.jpg) *The ANC's Gwede Mantashe and Action SA leader Herman Mashaba at the IEC National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on 31 May 2024.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla) DM*