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The Democratic Alliance (DA) highlighted on Friday that it has now entered national government - of which Cyril Ramaphosa is the preferred presidential candidate - as well as provincial government in the provinces of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
This after the party, together with the African National Congress (ANC) and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) reached agreement on the Statement of Intent for the formation of a government of national unity (GNU).
Following the May 29 elections, the ANC lost its outright majority, pushing the party to seek other political parties to form a national government with.
DA leader John Steenhuisen said the Statement of Intent that was signed on Friday emerged from two weeks of "intense but mature negotiations", and charted a new course for South Africa.
"In order to give effect to this vision, the Democratic Alliance will now step up to contribute our unique track record of good, clean and accountable governance to the national project," he highlighted.
Steenhuisen noted that in terms of the agreement, the DA would assume various leadership roles in the national Cabinet, the National Assembly, the National Council of Provinces, and on parliamentary portfolio committees, broadly in proportion to the share of seats within the GNU.
He explained that the DA would no longer only be an opposition party at national level, noting that this same model of inclusive and broadly proportional representation in the executive and legislative positions will also apply in the provinces of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
"This arrangement ensures that the voices of DA voters will now be heard in all the rooms where decisions are made about the future of our country," he said.
He stated that the DA's "signature contribution" to the GNU would come in the form of the party's "unique track record" of service delivery, job creation, and its commitment to clean and accountable governance.
"For the very first time, the DA will now be able to bring the same expertise that we honed in places like Cape Town, Midvaal, uMngeni, Kouga and the Western Cape, to serve all the people of South Africa," said Steenhuisen.
He highlighted that GNU negotiations will take place in phases, with phase one being the adoption of the Statement of Intent, which enables the GNU to elect presiding officers in Parliament, as well as a President.
He explained that the GNU's presidential candidate, being Ramaphosa, came from the largest party inside the grouping.
Steenhuisen announced that following Ramaphosa's election as the President on Friday he will then exercise his prerogative to appoint his new Cabinet from among the members of the GNU, in consultation with the leaders of its constituent parties.
"The next phase of the process will then commence in the form of a Lekgotla Strategy Session to develop a detailed policy agenda, including policy priorities for the GNU," he explained.
He noted that the two-week deadline imposed by the Constitution for the formation of a government was simply not sufficient in this new multiparty context.
He highlighted that although this marks a "hopeful and historic" moment for the country, it is important that parties were honest about the scale of the challenge that lay ahead.
He said problems would not be solved overnight.
"It will take years of sustained hard work, perseverance, maturity and cooperation across all sectors of society to get our country back on track. But the DA will be there with you, the people of South Africa, for every step along the way," he said.

South African stocks rallied and the rand gained, defying the global selloff in risk assets, as investors cheered an agreement between rival political parties to back the reelection of Cyril Ramaphosa as president.
The deal sets the stage for a broad government alliance led by the African National Congress (ANC) and the business-friendly Democratic Alliance (DA), following an election in which the ANC lost its outright majority for the first time since 1994.
"Such a coalition would be market-friendly and rand-positive," said Yeon Jin Kim, an emerging-market analyst at Credit Agricole, in a note to clients. "In the medium term, we believe there could be more upside for the rand, provided key reforms are announced and implemented."
The FTSE JSE Africa All Share Index climbed as much as 1.6%, the most in seven weeks, before paring the advance. A gauge of banking stocks rallied the most in almost four years to a record high.
The rand gained 0.5% to 18.3513 per dollar as of 1:02 pm in Johannesburg, the only emerging-market currency to rise on the day among 24 monitored by Bloomberg. The rand is up 3% this week compared with a 0.4% decline for the MSCI EM Currency Index.
The ANC, which has held power since apartheid ended in 1994, invited all the country's main parties to join a so-called government of national unity. Former President Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe Party, or MKP, and the Economic Freedom Fighters, - both of which favour land expropriation and the nationalization of mines and banks - declined to participate.

The African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) have pledged to cooperate through a voluntary Government of National Unity (GNU) through the signing of a Statement of Intent.
On behalf of their respective parties, ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula and DA Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille signed the document which aims to foster trust between the electorate and the parties that will make up the GNU, including the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).
The document was signed on Friday, as the first sitting of the National Assembly got underway and members of the National Assembly were sworn in.
The parties agreed to an ANC State President and Speaker, and a DA Deputy Speaker.
"The parties to this Statement of Intent agree that when committees of Parliament are constituted, the spirit of a Parliament of National Unity shall be implemented to enable parties that are part of the GNU to be accorded leadership positions of some committees. In this regard the parties agree that the IFP shall be elected to the position of Chair of Chairs," the document revealed.
The Statement of Intent outlines focus priorities for the seventh administration, which includes rapid economic growth, job creation, land reform, infrastructure development, fiscal sustainability and macro-economic management.
The document also lays out the need to deal with poverty, spatial inequalities, food security and improving basic services.
Parties pledged to stabilise local government and review the role of traditional leadership in the governance framework.
Also discussed was the need for a corrupt-free public service and the restructuring of State-owned entities.
"The parties to this GNU Statement of Intent shall, following the formation of the GNU, hold a Lekgotla (Strategy Session) to develop an agreed policy agenda, which shall include policy priorities for the GNU," the document read.
Further, it stressed the need for GNU parties to work together in "good faith" and constitute a government that "reflects genuine inclusiveness of political parties that are party to this Statement of Intent and are represented in the National Assembly."
The document outlines that the President will consult with the leaders of the GNU parties on appointments of Members of the Executive.
"The GNU shall take decisions in accordance with the established practice of consensus. Where no consensus is possible, the principle of sufficient consensus shall apply. Sufficient consensus exists when all parties have had the opportunity to express their views; despite reasonable attempts to resolve disagreements, and find common ground, there is no general consensus; parties to the GNU representing 60% of seats in the National Assembly agree; and any party that disagrees has been able to formally record their objections," the document said.
GNU parties also agreed to the establishment of dispute resolution, or deadlock-breaking mechanisms, in instances where there is no consensus.
In attempting to ensure that provincial governments are stable, the GNU Statement of Intent and Modalities may be used to guide such approaches.
A GNU Consultations Council will be formed by the parties to monitor the progress on the GNU's minimum programme.
GNU parties will also deliberate if other parties show interest in becoming part of the GNU.

A second person has died in South Africa this week from the viral infection mpox, the health ministry said on Thursday, less than 24 hours after it announced the first death.
The second person who died was a 38-year-old man. He was admitted to a hospital in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province with extensive lesions, headache, fatigue, oral ulcers, muscle pain and a sore throat. He tested positive for mpox on Wednesday.
"The patient has unfortunately demised in KZN the same day his test results came back positive," spokesperson for the national health department Foster Mohale said.
The total number of laboratory-confirmed mpox cases stands at six, with two deaths since the first case was recorded five weeks ago.
Mpox spreads through close physical contact. Most cases are mild but it can kill.

The Western Cape Parliament held its first sitting on Thursday when it saw the re-election of Alan Winde as Western Cape Premier for another five years, which the Democratic Alliance (DA) has welcomed.
Winde was sworn in alongside Speaker Daylin Mitchell and Reagen Allen as Deputy Speaker.
The elected members swore their oaths of office and Winde said it was a profound honour and privilege.
"In my first term of office, we achieved so much in our efforts to address the wicked problems facing this province, but I know that many of those still remain. As I crisscrossed this province, I saw how many of our residents are struggling and the responsibility that we as government have to step in and provide that critical social safety net for each of them. I owe it to you our residents to work even harder as I lead this government once more," he said.
The DA congratulated Winde and the new parliamentary leadership and expressed confidence that "they will serve in the best interest of all in the Western Cape".

Secretary to Parliament Xolile George said Parliament is fully ready to hold its first sitting of the National Assembly (NA), where the country's President and National Speaker will be elected on Friday, for which a budget of about R58-million has been allocated.
The first sitting of the NA and the National Council of Provinces, which will be held on Saturday, will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
George was briefing the media on Thursday on preparations for the first sittings of the two Houses of Parliament, where he highlighted that the budget refleced the expanded needs and rising costs associated with ensuring that all MPs were adequately supported in their roles.
He noted that five years ago, the establishment of the sixth Parliament incurred costs amounting to about R43-million.
"While the actual budget costs for the commencement of the seventh Parliament will be released at a later date, we can confirm that approximately R58-million has been set aside for this purpose," George said.
He explained that the allocation covered a wide range of necessities, including the preparation of parliamentary precincts, the provision of tools of trade for MPs, the facilitation of initial sessions and inductions, as well as the broadcasting infrastructure for all the dates of the sittings, including the Opening of Parliament Address by the new President.
Parliament expressed confidence that the proceedings would unfold smoothly and effectively, marking the successful commencement of the seventh democratic Parliament.
"Our comprehensive preparations ensure that every aspect of these inaugural sessions, from logistical arrangements to security measures, have been meticulously planned and implemented," said George.
The first sitting of the NA will see the swearing-in of all designated Members in attendance by the Chief Justice, followed by the election of the Speaker who will take over the proceedings and preside over the election of the Deputy Speaker.
Following that, the President of South Africa is elected.
The inauguration of the President-elect is scheduled for June 19.